Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus NS3 protease

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses novel compounds which have HCV protease inhibitory activity as well as methods for preparing such compounds. In another embodiment, the invention discloses pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds as well as methods of using them to treat disorders associated with the HCV protease.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/065,572, filed Feb. 24, 2005, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/548,251 filed Feb. 27, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) protease inhibitors, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more such inhibitors, methods of preparing such inhibitors and methods of using such inhibitors to treat hepatitis C and related disorders. This invention additionally discloses novel compounds as inhibitors of the HCV NS3/NS4a serine protease.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a (+)-sense single-stranded RNA virus that has been implicated as the major causative agent in non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH), particularly in blood-associated NANBH (BB-NANBH) (see, International Patent Application Publication No. WO 89/04669 and European Patent Application Publication No. EP 381 216). NANBH is to be distinguished from other types of viral-induced liver disease, such as hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), delta hepatitis virus (HDV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), as well as from other forms of liver disease such as alcoholism and primary biliar cirrhosis.

Recently, an HCV protease necessary for polypeptide processing and viral replication has been identified, cloned and expressed. (See, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,145). This approximately 3000 amino acid polyprotein contains, from the amino terminus to the carboxy terminus, a nucleocapsid protein (C), envelope proteins (E1 and E2) and several non-structural proteins (NS1, 2, 3, 4a, 5a and 5b). NS3 is an approximately 68 kda protein, encoded by approximately 1893 nucleotides of the HCV genome, and has two distinct domains: (a) a serine protease domain consisting of approximately 200 of the N-terminal amino acids; and (b) an RNA-dependent ATPase domain at the C-terminus of the protein. The NS3 protease is considered a member of the chymotrypsin family because of similarities in protein sequence, overall three-dimensional structure and mechanism of catalysis. Other chymotrypsin-like enzymes are elastase, factor Xa, thrombin, trypsin, plasmin, urokinase, tPA and PSA. The HCV NS3 serine protease is responsible for proteolysis of the polypeptide (polyprotein) at the NS3/NS4a, NS4a/NS4b, NS4b/NS5a and NS5a/NS5b junctions and is thus responsible for generating four viral proteins during viral replication. This has made the HCV NS3 serine protease an attractive target for antiviral chemotherapy. The inventive compounds can inhibit such protease. They also can modulate the processing of hepatitis C virus (HCV) polypeptide.

It has been determined that the NS4a protein, an approximately 6 kda polypeptide, is a co-factor for the serine protease activity of NS3. Autocleavage of the NS3/NS4a junction by the NS3/NS4a serine protease occurs intramolecularly (i.e., cis) while the other cleavage sites are processed intermolecularly (i.e., trans).

Analysis of the natural cleavage sites for HCV protease revealed the presence of cysteine at P1 and serine at P1′ and that these residues are strictly conserved in the NS4a/NS4b, NS4b/NS5a and NS5a/NS5b junctions. The NS3/NS4a junction contains a threonine at P1 and a serine at P1′. The Cys→Thr substitution at NS3/NS4a is postulated to account for the requirement of cis rather than trans processing at this junction. See, e.g., Pizzi et al. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci (USA) 91:888-892, Failla et al. (1996) Folding & Design 1:35-42. The NS3/NS4a cleavage site is also more tolerant of mutagenesis than the other sites. See, e.g., Kollykhalov et al. (1994) J. Virol. 68:7525-7533. It has also been found that acidic residues in the region upstream of the cleavage site are required for efficient cleavage. See, e.g., Komoda et al. (1994) J. Virol. 68:7351-7357.

Inhibitors of HCV protease that have been reported include antioxidants (see, International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98/14181), certain peptides and peptide analogs (see, International Patent Application Publication No. WO 98/17679, Landro et al. (1997) Biochem. 36:9340-9348, Ingallinella et al. (1998) Biochem. 37:8906-8914, Llinàs-Brunet et al. (1998) Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 8:1713-1718), inhibitors based on the 70-amino acid polypeptide eglin c (Martin et al. (1998) Biochem. 37:11459-11468, inhibitors affinity selected from human pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor (hPSTI-C3) and minibody repertoires (MBip) (Dimasi et al. (1997) J. Virol. 71:7461-7469), cV_(H)E2 (a “camelized” variable domain antibody fragment) (Martin et al.(1997) Protein Eng. 10:607-614), and α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) (Elzouki et al.) (1997) J. Hepat. 27:42-28). A ribozyme designed to selectively destroy hepatitis C virus RNA has recently been disclosed (see, BioWorld Today 9(217): 4 (Nov. 10, 1998)).

Reference is also made to the PCT Publications, No. WO 98/17679, published Apr. 30, 1998 (Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated); WO 98/22496, published May 28, 1998 (F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG); and WO 99/07734, published Feb. 18, 1999 (Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd.).

HCV has been implicated in cirrhosis of the liver and in induction of hepatocellular carcinoma. The prognosis for patients suffering from HCV infection is currently poor. HCV infection is more difficult to treat than other forms of hepatitis due to the lack of immunity or remission associated with HCV infection. Current data indicates a less than 50% survival rate at four years post cirrhosis diagnosis. Patients diagnosed with localized resectable hepatocellular carcinoma have a five-year survival rate of 10-30%, whereas those with localized unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma have a five-year survival rate of less than 1%.

Reference is made to WO 00/59929 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,027, Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.; Published Oct. 12, 2000) which discloses peptide derivatives of the formula:

Reference is made to A. Marchefti et al, Synlett, S1, 1000-1002 (1999) describing the synthesis of bicylic analogs of an inhibitor of HCV NS3 protease. A compound disclosed therein has the formula:

Reference is also made to W. Han et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chem. Lett, (2000) 10, 711-713, which describes the preparation of certain α-ketoamides, α-ketoesters and α-diketones containing allyl and ethyl functionalities.

Reference is also made to WO 00/09558 (Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Limited; Published Feb. 24, 2000) which discloses peptide derivatives of the formula:

where the various elements are defined therein. An illustrative compound of that series is:

Reference is also made to WO 00/09543 (Assignee: Boehringer Ingelheim Limited; Published Feb. 24, 2000) which discloses peptide derivatives of the formula:

where the various elements are defined therein. An illustrative compound of that series is:

Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,027 (Boehringer Ingelheim, Canada) which discloses NS3 protease inhibitors of the type:

wherein the various moieties are defined therein.

Current therapies for hepatitis C include interferon-α (INF_(α)) and combination therapy with ribavirin and interferon. See, e.g., Beremguer et al. (1998) Proc. Assoc. Am. Physicians 110(2):98-112. These therapies suffer from a low sustained response rate and frequent side effects. See, e.g., Hoofnagle et al. (1997) N. Enql. J. Med. 336:347. Currently, no vaccine is available for HCV infection.

Reference is further made to WO 01/74768 (Assignee: Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc) published Oct. 11, 2001, which discloses certain compounds of the following general formula (R is defined therein) as NS3-serine protease inhibitors of Hepatitis C virus:

A specific compound disclosed in the afore-mentioned WO 01/74768 has the following formula:

PCT Publications WO 01/77113; WO 01/081325; WO 02/08198; WO 02/08256; WO 02/08187; WO 02/08244; WO 02/48172; WO 02/08251; and pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/052,386, filed Jan. 18, 2002, disclose various types of peptides and/or other compounds as NS-3 serine protease inhibitors of hepatitis C virus. The disclosures of those applications are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

There is a need for new treatments and therapies for HCV infection. There is a need for compounds useful in the treatment or prevention or amelioration of one or more symptoms of hepatitis C.

There is a need for methods of treatment or prevention or amelioration of one or more symptoms of hepatitis C.

There is a need for methods for modulating the activity of serine proteases, particularly the HCV NS3/NS4a serine protease, using the compounds provided herein.

There is a need for methods of modulating the processing of the HCV polypeptide using the compounds provided herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its many embodiments, the present invention provides a novel class of inhibitors of the HCV protease, pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of the compounds, methods of preparing pharmaceutical formulations comprising one or more such compounds, and methods of treatment or prevention of HCV or amelioration of one or more of the symptoms of hepatitis C using one or more such compounds or one or more such formulations. Also provided are methods of modulating the interaction of an HCV polypeptide with HCV protease. Among the compounds provided herein, compounds that inhibit HCV NS3/NS4a serine protease activity are preferred. The present invention discloses compounds, or enantiomers, stereoisomers, rotamers, tautomers, diastereomers and racemates of said compounds, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester of said compounds, said compounds having the general structure having the general structure shown in structural Formula 1:

FORMULA I

wherein:

R¹ is H, OR⁸, NR⁹R¹⁰, or CHR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ can be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl-, alkenyl-, alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroalkyl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl-, heterocyclyl-, arylalkyl-, and heteroarylalkyl;

A and M can be the same or different, each being independently selected from R, OR, NHR, NRR′, SR, SO₂R, and halo; or A and M are connected to each other such that the moiety:

shown above in Formula I forms either a three, four, six, seven or eight-membered cycloalkyl, a four to eight-membered heterocyclyl, a six to ten-membered aryl, or a five to ten-membered heteroaryl;

E is C(H) or C(R);

L is C(H), C(R), CH₂C(R), or C(R)CH₂;

R, R′, R², and R³ can be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl-, alkenyl-, alkynyl-, cycloalkyl-, heteroalkyl-, heterocyclyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl-, (cycloalkyl)alkyl-, (heterocyclyl)alkyl-, aryl-alkyl-, and heteroaryl-alkyl-; or alternately R and R′ in NRR′ are connected to each other such that NRR′ forms a four to eight-membered heterocyclyl;

and Y is selected from the following moieties:

wherein G is NH or O; and R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ can be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl, or alternately, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are connected to each other to form a four to eight-membered cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl structure, and likewise, independently R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are connected to each other to form a three to eight-membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl; wherein each of said alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl can be unsubstituted or optionally independently substituted with one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, thio, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, amido, alkylamino, arylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfonamido, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylsulfonamido, arylsulfonamido, keto, carboxy, carbalkoxy, carboxamido, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonyloxy, alkylureido, arylureido, halo, cyano, and nitro.

The above-noted statement “A and M are connected to each other such that the moiety:

shown above in Formula I forms either a three, four, six, seven or eight-membered cycloalkyl, a four to eight-membered heterocyclyl, a six to ten-membered aryl, or a five to ten-membered heteroaryl” can be illustrated in a non-limiting matter as follows. Thus, for example, in the case where A and M are connected such that the moiety:

shown above in Formula I forms a six -membered cycloalkyl (cyclohexyl), Formula I can be depicted as:

One with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that similar depictions for Formula I can be arrived at when A and M shown above in the moiety:

are connected to form a three, four, seven or eight-membered cycloalkyl, a four to eight-membered heterocyclyl, a six to ten-membered aryl, or a five to ten-membered heteroaryl.

The statement above: “alternately, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are connected to each other to form a four to eight-membered cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl structure, and likewise, independently R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are connected to each other to form a three to eight-membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl” means the following possibilities: (i) that R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are connected to form a cyclic structure while R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are not; and (ii) that R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are connected to form a cyclic structure. The two possibilities are irrespective of each other.

In the above-noted definitions of R, R′, R², and R³ preferred alkyl is made of one to ten carbon atoms, preferred alkenyl or alkynyl is made of two to ten carbon atoms, preferred cycloalkyl is made of three to eight carbon atoms, and preferred heteroalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl has one to six oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or phosphorus atoms.

The compounds represented by Formula I, by themselves or in combination with one or more other suitable agents disclosed herein, can be useful for treating diseases such as, for example, HCV, HIV, AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and related disorders, as well as for modulating the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease, preventing HCV, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of hepatitis C. Such modulation, treatment, prevention or amelioration can be done with the inventive compounds as well as with pharmaceutical compositions or formulations comprising such compounds. Without being limited to theory, it is believed that the HCV protease may be the NS3 or NS4a protease. The inventive compounds can inhibit such protease. They can also modulate the processing of hepatitis C virus (HCV) polypeptide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an embodiment, the present invention discloses compounds which are represented by structural Formula 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester thereof, wherein the various moieties are as defined above.

In another embodiment, R¹ is NR⁹R¹⁰, and R⁹ is H, R¹⁰ is H, or R¹⁴ wherein R¹⁴ is H, alkyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-heteroaryl, aryl-alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or heteroaryl-alkyl.

In another embodiment, R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of:

In another embodiment, R² is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:

In another embodiment, R³ is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R³¹ is OH or O-alkyl; and

R³² is H, C(O)CH₃, C(O)OtBu or C(O)N(H)tBu.

In an additional embodiment, R³ is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:

In another embodiment, Y is selected from the following moieties:

wherein G is NH or O; and R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ can be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl, or alternately, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are connected to each other to form a four to eight-membered cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl structure, and likewise, independently R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are connected to each other to form a three to eight-membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl; wherein each of said alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl can be unsubstituted or optionally independently substituted with one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, thio, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, amido, alkylamino, arylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfonamido, alkyl, is aryl, heteroaryl, alkylsulfonamido, arylsulfonamido, keto, carboxy, carbalkoxy, carboxamido, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonyloxy, alkylureido, arylureido, halo, cyano, and nitro.

In an additional embodiment, G is NH.

In an additional embodiment, Y is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein Y³¹ is selected from the group consisting of:

Y³² is selected from the group consisting of:

and Y¹² is selected from the group consisting of H, CO₂H, CO₂Me, OMe, F, Cl, Br, NH₂, N(H)S(O₂)CH₃, N(H)C(O)CH₃, NO₂, NMe₂, S(O₂)NH₂, CF₃, Me, OH, OCF₃, and C(O)NH₂ and Y³³ is selected from the group consisting of:

In another embodiment, the moiety:

is selected from the following structures:

In an additional embodiment, the moiety:

is selected from the following structures:

In a still additional embodiment, the moiety:

is selected from the following structures:

In a further additional embodiment, R¹ is NHR¹⁴, where R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of:

R² is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:

R³ is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:

Y is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein Y³¹ is selected from the group consisting of:

Y³² is selected from the group consisting of:

and Y¹² is selected from the group consisting of H, CO₂H, CO₂Me, OMe, F, Cl, Br, NH₂, N(H)S(O₂)CH₃, N(H)C(O)CH₃, NO₂, NMe₂, S(O₂)NH₂, CF₃, Me, OH, OCF₃, and C(O)NH₂ and Y³³ is selected from the group consisting of:

and the moiety:

In a still additional embodiment, the present invention discloses compounds shown in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, Table 4, Table 5 and Table 6 later in this specification. Also shown in the Tables are the biological activities of several inventive compounds (as Ki* values). The range of Ki* in Tables 1-6 is defined as follows: A: <75 nM (nanomolar); B: 76-250 nM; and C: >250 nM.

Yet another embodiment of the invention discloses compounds in Table 7:

TABLE 7

In an additional embodiment, this invention discloses the following compounds:

A still additional embodiment discloses the compounds in Table 8:

TABLE 8

As used above, and throughout this disclosure, the following terms, unless otherwise indicated, shall be understood to have the following meanings:

“Patient” includes both human and animals.

“Mammal” means humans and other mammalian animals.

“Alkyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which may be straight or branched and comprising about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms in the chain. Preferred alkyl groups contain about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain. More preferred alkyl groups contain about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl, are attached to a linear alkyl chain. “Lower alkyl” means a group having about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be straight or branched. The term “substituted alkyl” means that the alkyl group may be substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, each substituent being independently selected from the group consisting of halo, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkylthio, amino, —NH(alkyl), —NH(cycloalkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —N(alkyl)₂, carboxy and —C(O)O-alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl and t-butyl.

“Alkenyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond and which may be straight or branched and comprising about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms in the chain. Preferred alkenyl groups have about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain; and more preferably about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl, are attached to a linear alkenyl chain. “Lower alkenyl” means about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be straight or branched. The term “substituted alkenyl” means that the alkenyl group may be substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, each substituent being independently selected from the group consisting of halo, alkyl. aryl, cycloalkyl, cyano, alkoxy and —S(alkyl). Non-limiting examples of suitable alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, n-butenyl, 3-methylbut-2-enyl, n-pentenyl, octenyl and decenyl.

“Alkynyl” means an aliphatic hydrocarbon group containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond and which may be straight or branched and comprising about 2 to about 15 carbon atoms in the chain. Preferred alkynyl groups have about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms in the chain; and more preferably about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms in the chain. Branched means that one or more lower alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl or propyl, are attached to a linear alkynyl chain. “Lower alkynyl” means about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms in the chain which may be straight or branched. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, 2-butynyl and 3-methylbutynyl. The term “substituted alkynyl” means that the alkynyl group may be substituted by one or more substituents which may be the same or different, each substituent being independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and cycloalkyl.

“Aryl” means an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system comprising about 6 to about 14 carbon atoms, preferably about 6 to about 10 carbon atoms. The aryl group can be optionally substituted with one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. Non-limiting examples of suitable aryl groups include phenyl and naphthyl.

“Heteroaryl” means an aromatic monocyclic or multicyclic ring system comprising about 5 to about 14 ring atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 ring atoms, in which one or more of the ring atoms is an element other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, alone or in combination. Preferred heteroaryls contain about 5 to about 6 ring atoms. The “heteroaryl” can be optionally substituted by one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. The prefix aza, oxa or thia before the heteroaryl root name means that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom respectively, is present as a ring atom. A nitrogen atom of a heteroaryl can be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide. Non-limiting examples of suitable heteroaryls include pyridyl, pyrazinyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridone (including N-substituted pyridones), isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, furazanyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyridazinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, oxindolyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, imidazo[2,1-b]thiazolyl, benzofurazanyl, indolyl, azaindolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothienyl, quinolinyl, imidazolyl, thienopyridyl, quinazolinyl, thienopyrimidyl, pyrrolopyridyl, imidazopyridyl, isoquinolinyl, benzoazaindolyl, 1,2,4-triazinyl, benzothiazolyl and the like. The term “heteroaryl” also refers to partially saturated heteroaryl moieties such as, for example, tetrahydroisoquinolyl, tetrahydroquinolyl and the like.

“Aralkyl” or “arylalkyl” means an aryl-alkyl- group in which the aryl and alkyl are as previously described. Preferred aralkyls comprise a lower alkyl group. Non-limiting examples of suitable aralkyl groups include benzyl, 2-phenethyl and naphthalenylmethyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the alkyl.

“Alkylaryl” means an alkyl-aryl- group in which the alkyl and aryl are as previously described. Preferred alkylaryls comprise a lower alkyl group. Non-limiting example of a suitable alkylaryl group is tolyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the aryl.

“Cycloalkyl” means a non-aromatic mono- or multicyclic ring system comprising about 3 to about 10 carbon atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 carbon atoms. Preferred cycloalkyl rings contain about 5 to about 7 ring atoms. The cycloalkyl can be optionally substituted with one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined above. Non-limiting examples of suitable monocyclic cycloalkyls include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and the like. Non-limiting examples of suitable multicyclic cycloalkyls include 1-decalinyl, norbornyl, adamantyl and the like, as well as partially saturated species such as, for example, indanyl, tetrahydronaphthyl and the like.

“Halogen” or “halo” means fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine. Preferred are fluorine, chlorine and bromine.

“Ring system substituent” means a substituent attached to an aromatic or non-aromatic ring system which, for example, replaces an available hydrogen on the ring system. Ring system substituents may be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, alkylaryl, heteroaralkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, alkylheteroaryl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, aralkoxy, acyl, aroyl, halo, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, aralkoxycarbonyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, heteroarylsulfonyl, alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, aralkylthio, heteroaralkylthio, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, —C(═N—CN)—NH₂, —C(═NH)—NH₂, —C(═NH)—NH(alkyl), Y₁Y₂N—, Y₁Y₂N-alkyl-, Y₁Y₂NC(O)—, Y₁Y₂NSO₂—and —SO₂NY₁Y₂, wherein Y₁ and Y₂ can be the same or different and are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, and aralkyl. “Ring system substituent” may also mean a single moiety which simultaneously replaces two available hydrogens on two adjacent carbon atoms (one H on each carbon) on a ring system. Examples of such moiety are methylene dioxy, ethylenedioxy, —C(CH₃)₂— and the like which form moieties such as, for example:

“Heterocyclyl” means a non-aromatic saturated monocyclic or multicyclic ring system comprising about 3 to about 10 ring atoms, preferably about 5 to about 10 ring atoms, in which one or more of the atoms in the ring system is an element other than carbon, for example nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur, alone or in combination. There are no adjacent oxygen and/or sulfur atoms present in the ring system. Preferred heterocyclyls contain about 5 to about 6 ring atoms. The prefix aza, oxa or thia before the heterocyclyl root name means that at least a nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur atom respectively is present as a ring atom. Any —NH in a heterocyclyl ring may exist protected such as, for example, as an —N(Boc), —N(CBz), —N(Tos) group and the like; such protections are also considered part of this invention. The heterocyclyl can be optionally substituted by one or more “ring system substituents” which may be the same or different, and are as defined herein. The nitrogen or sulfur atom of the heterocyclyl can be optionally oxidized to the corresponding N-oxide, S-oxide or S,S-dioxide. Non-limiting examples of suitable monocyclic heterocyclyl rings include piperidyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiazolidinyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, lactam, lactone, and the like.

It should be noted that in hetero-atom containing ring systems of this invention, there are no hydroxyl groups on carbon atoms adjacent to a N, O or S, as well as there are no N or S groups on carbon adjacent to another heteroatom. Thus, for example, in the ring:

there is no —OH attached directly to carbons marked 2 and 5.

It should also be noted that tautomeric forms such as, for example, the moieties:

are considered equivalent in certain embodiments of this invention.

“Alkynylalkyl” means an alkynyl-alkyl- group in which the alkynyl and alkyl are as previously described. Preferred alkynylalkyls contain a lower alkynyl and a lower alkyl group. The bond to the parent moiety is through the alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkynylalkyl groups include propargylmethyl.

“Heteroaralkyl” means a heteroaryl-alkyl- group in which the heteroaryl and alkyl are as previously described. Preferred heteroaralkyls contain a lower alkyl group. Non-limiting examples of suitable aralkyl groups include pyridylmethyl, and quinolin-3-ylmethyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the alkyl.

“Hydroxyalkyl” means a HO-alkyl- group in which alkyl is as previously defined. Preferred hydroxyalkyls contain lower alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable hydroxyalkyl groups include hydroxymethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl.

“Acyl” means an H—C(O)—, alkyl-C(O)— or cycloalkyl-C(O)—, group in which the various groups are as previously described. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl. Preferred acyls contain a lower alkyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable acyl groups include formyl, acetyl and propanoyl.

“Aroyl” means an aryl-C(O)— group in which the aryl group is as previously described. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl. Non-limiting examples of suitable groups include benzoyl and 1- naphthoyl.

“Alkoxy” means an alkyl-O— group in which the alkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkoxy groups include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy and n-butoxy. The bond to the parent moiety is through the ether oxygen.

“Aryloxy” means an aryl-O— group in which the aryl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable aryloxy groups include phenoxy and naphthoxy. The bond to the parent moiety is through the ether oxygen.

“Aralkyloxy” means an aralkyl-O— group in which the aralkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable aralkyloxy groups include benzyloxy and 1- or 2-naphthalenemethoxy. The bond to the parent moiety is through the ether oxygen.

“Alkylthio” means an alkyl-S— group in which the alkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkylthio groups include methylthio and ethylthio. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfur.

“Arylthio” means an aryl-S— group in which the aryl group is as previously described. Non-limiting examples of suitable arylthio groups include phenylthio and naphthylthio. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfur.

“Aralkylthio” means an aralkyl-S— group in which the aralkyl group is as previously described. Non-limiting example of a suitable aralkylthio group is benzylthio. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfur.

“Alkoxycarbonyl” means an alkyl-O—CO— group. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkoxycarbonyl groups include methoxycarbonyl and ethoxycarbonyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl.

“Aryloxycarbonyl” means an aryl-O—C(O)— group. Non-limiting examples of suitable aryloxycarbonyl groups include phenoxycarbonyl and naphthoxycarbonyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl.

“Aralkoxycarbonyl” means an aralkyl-O—C(O)— group. Non-limiting example of a suitable aralkoxycarbonyl group is benzyloxycarbonyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the carbonyl.

“Alkylsulfonyl” means an alkyl-S(O₂)— group. Preferred groups are those in which the alkyl group is lower alkyl. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfonyl.

“Arylsulfonyl” means an aryl-S(O₂)— group. The bond to the parent moiety is through the sulfonyl.

The term “substituted” means that one or more hydrogens on the designated atom is replaced with a selection from the indicated group, provided that the designated atom's normal valency under the existing circumstances is not exceeded, and that the substitution results in a stable compound. Combinations of substituents and/or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds. By “stable compound” or “stable structure” is meant a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture, and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent.

The term “one or more” or “at least one”, when indicating the number of substituents, compounds, combination agents and the like, refers to at least one, and up to the maximum number of chemically and physically permissible, substituents, compounds, combination agents and the like, that are present or added, depending on the context. Such techniques and knowledge are well known within the skills of the concerned artisan.

The term “optionally substituted” means optional substitution with the specified groups, radicals or moieties.

The term “isolated” or “in isolated form” for a compound refers to the physical state of said compound after being isolated from a synthetic process or natural source or combination thereof. The term “purified” or “in purified form” for a compound refers to the physical state of said compound after being obtained from a purification process or processes described herein or well known to the skilled artisan, in sufficient purity to be characterizable by standard analytical techniques described herein or well known to the skilled artisan.

It should also be noted that any heteroatom with unsatisfied valences in the text, schemes, examples and Tables herein is assumed to have the hydrogen atom(s) to satisfy the valences.

When a functional group in a compound is termed “protected”, this means that the group is in modified form to preclude undesired side reactions at the protected site when the compound is subjected to a reaction. Suitable protecting groups will be recognized by those with ordinary skill in the art as well as by reference to standard textbooks such as, for example, T. W. Greene et al, Protective Groups in organic Synthesis (1991), Wiley, N.Y.

When any variable (e.g., aryl, heterocycle, R², etc.) occurs more than one time in any constituent or in Formula 1, its definition on each occurrence is independent of its definition at every other occurrence.

As used herein, the term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combination of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

Prodrugs and solvates of the compounds of the invention are also contemplated herein. The term “prodrug”, as employed herein, denotes a compound that is a drug precursor which, upon administration to a subject, undergoes chemical conversion by metabolic or chemical processes to yield a compound of Formula 1 or a salt and/or solvate thereof. A discussion of prodrugs is provided in T. Higuchi and V. Stella, Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems (1987) 14 of the A.C.S. Symposium Series, and in Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, (1987) Edward B. Roche, ed., American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, both of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

“Solvate” means a physical association of a compound of this invention with one or more solvent molecules. This physical association involves varying degrees of ionic and covalent bonding, including hydrogen bonding. In certain instances the solvate will be capable of isolation, for example when one or more solvent molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. “Solvate” encompasses both solution-phase and isolatable solvates. Non-limiting examples of suitable solvates include ethanolates, methanolates, and the like. “Hydrate” is a solvate wherein the solvent molecule is H₂O.

“Effective amount” or “therapeutically effective amount” is meant to describe an amount of compound or a composition of the present invention effective in inhibiting the CDK(s) and thus producing the desired therapeutic, ameliorative, inhibitory or preventative effect.

The compounds of Formula 1 can form salts which are also within the scope of this invention. Reference to a compound of Formula 1 herein is understood to include reference to salts thereof, unless otherwise indicated. The term “salt(s)”, as employed herein, denotes acidic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic acids, as well as basic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic bases. In addition, when a compound of Formula 1 contains both a basic moiety, such as, but not limited to a pyridine or imidazole, and an acidic moiety, such as, but not limited to a carboxylic acid, zwitterions (“inner salts”) may be formed and are included within the term “salt(s)” as used herein. Pharmaceutically acceptable (i.e., non-toxic, physiologically acceptable) salts are preferred, although other salts are also useful. Salts of the compounds of the Formula 1 may be formed, for example, by reacting a compound of Formula 1 with an amount of acid or base, such as an equivalent amount, in a medium such as one in which the salt precipitates or in an aqueous medium followed by lyophilization.

Exemplary acid addition salts include acetates, ascorbates, benzoates, benzenesulfonates, bisulfates, borates, butyrates, citrates, camphorates, camphorsulfonates, fumarates, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, hydroiodides, lactates, maleates, methanesulfonates, naphthalenesulfonates, nitrates, oxalates, phosphates, propionates, salicylates, succinates, sulfates, tartarates, thiocyanates, toluenesulfonates (also known as tosylates,) and the like. Additionally, acids which are generally considered suitable for the formation of pharmaceutically useful salts from basic pharmaceutical compounds are discussed, for example, by P. Stahl et al, Camille G. (eds.) Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts. Properties, Selection and Use. (2002) Zurich: Wiley-VCH; S. Berge et al, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (1977) 66(1) 1-19; P. Gould, International J. of Pharmaceutics (1986) 33 201-217; Anderson et al, The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry (1996), Academic Press, New York; and in The Orange Book (Food & Drug Administration, Washington, D.C. on their website). These disclosures are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

Exemplary basic salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium, lithium, and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium salts, salts with organic bases (for example, organic amines) such as dicyclohexylamines, t-butyl amines, and salts with amino acids such as arginine, lysine and the like. Basic nitrogen-containing groups may be quarternized with agents such as lower alkyl halides (e.g. methyl, ethyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides and iodides), dialkyl sulfates (e.g. dimethyl, diethyl, and dibutyl sulfates), long chain halides (e.g. decyl, lauryl, and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides), aralkyl halides (e.g. benzyl and phenethyl bromides), and others.

All such acid salts and base salts are intended to be pharmaceutically acceptable salts within the scope of the invention and all acid and base salts are considered equivalent to the free forms of the corresponding compounds for purposes of the invention.

Pharmaceutically acceptable esters of the present compounds include the following groups: (1) carboxylic acid esters obtained by esterification of the hydroxy groups, in which the non-carbonyl moiety of the carboxylic acid portion of the ester grouping is selected from straight or branched chain alkyl (for example, acetyl, n-propyl, t-butyl, or n-butyl), alkoxyalkyl (for example, methoxymethyl), aralkyl (for example, benzyl), aryloxyalkyl (for example, phenoxymethyl), aryl (for example, phenyl optionally substituted with, for example, halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, or C₁₋₄alkoxy or amino); (2) sulfonate esters, such as alkyl- or aralkylsulfonyl (for example, methanesulfonyl); (3) amino acid esters (for example, L-valyl or L-isoleucyl); (4) phosphonate esters and (5) mono-, di- or triphosphate esters. The phosphate esters may be further esterified by, for example, a C₁₋₂₀ alcohol or reactive derivative thereof, or by a 2,3-di (C₆₋₂₄)acyl glycerol.

Compounds of Formula 1, and salts, solvates, esters and prodrugs thereof, may exist in their tautomeric form (for example, as an amide or imino ether). All such tautomeric forms are contemplated herein as part of the present invention.

All stereoisomers (for example, geometric isomers, optical isomers and the like) of the present compounds (including those of the salts, solvates, esters and prodrugs of the compounds as well as the salts, solvates and esters of the prodrugs), such as those which may exist due to asymmetric carbons on various substituents, including enantiomeric forms (which may exist even in the absence of asymmetric carbons), rotameric forms, atropisomers, and diastereomeric forms, are contemplated within the scope of this invention, as are positional isomers (such as, for example, 4-pyridyl and 3-pyridyl). Individual stereoisomers of the compounds of the invention may, for example, be substantially free of other isomers, or may be admixed, for example, as racemates or with all other, or other selected, stereoisomers. The chiral centers of the present invention can have the S or R configuration as defined by the IUPAC 1974 Recommendations. The use of the terms “salt”, “solvate” “prodrug” and the like, is intended to equally apply to the salt, solvate and prodrug of enantiomers, stereoisomers, rotamers, tautomers, positional isomers, racemates or prodrugs of the inventive compounds.

Polymorphic forms of the compounds of Formula I, and of the salts, solvates, esters and prodrugs of the compounds of Formula I, are intended to be included in the present invention.

It is to be understood that the utility of the compounds of Formula 1 for the therapeutic applications discussed herein is applicable to each compound by itself or to the combination or combinations of one or more compounds of Formula 1 as illustrated, for example, in the next immediate paragraph. The same understanding also applies to pharmaceutical composition(s) comprising such compound or compounds and method(s) of treatment involving such compound or compounds.

The compounds according to the invention can have pharmacological properties; in particular, the compounds of Formula 1 can be inhibitors of HCV protease, each compound by itself or one or more compounds of Formula 1 can be combined with one or more compounds selected from within Formula 1. The compound(s) can be useful for treating diseases such as, for example, HCV, HIV, (AIDS, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and related disorders, as well as for modulating the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease, preventing HCV, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of hepatitis C.

The compounds of Formula 1 may be used for the manufacture of a medicament to treat disorders associated with the HCV protease, for example, the method comprising bringing into intimate contact a compound of Formula 1 a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another embodiment, this invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive compound or compounds as an active ingredient. The pharmaceutical compositions generally additionally comprise at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier diluent, excipient or carrier (collectively referred to herein as carrier materials). Because of their HCV inhibitory activity, such pharmaceutical compositions possess utility in treating hepatitis C and related disorders.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention discloses methods for preparing pharmaceutical compositions comprising the inventive compounds as an active ingredient. In the pharmaceutical compositions and methods of the present invention, the active ingredients will typically be administered in admixture with suitable carrier materials suitably selected with respect to the intended form of administration, i.e. oral tablets, capsules (either solid-filled, semi-solid filled or liquid filled), powders for constitution, oral gels, elixirs, dispersible granules, syrups, suspensions, and the like, and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practices. For example, for oral administration in the form of tablets or capsules, the active drug component may be combined with any oral non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable inert carrier, such as lactose, starch, sucrose, cellulose, magnesium stearate, dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate, talc, mannitol, ethyl alcohol (liquid forms) and the like. Moreover, when desired or needed, suitable binders, lubricants, disintegrating agents and coloring agents may also be incorporated in the mixture. Powders and tablets may be comprised of from about 5 to about 95 percent inventive composition.

Suitable binders include starch, gelatin, natural sugars, corn sweeteners, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol and waxes. Among the lubricants there may be mentioned for use in these dosage forms, boric acid, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium chloride, and the like. Disintegrants include starch, methylcellulose, guar gum and the like.

Sweetening and flavoring agents and preservatives may also be included where appropriate. Some of the terms noted above, namely disintegrants, diluents, lubricants, binders and the like, are discussed in more detail below.

Additionally, the compositions of the present invention may be formulated in sustained release form to provide the rate controlled release of any one or more of the components or active ingredients to optimize the therapeutic effects, i.e. HCV inhibitory activity and the like. Suitable dosage forms for sustained release include layered tablets containing layers of varying disintegration rates or controlled release polymeric matrices impregnated with the active components and shaped in tablet form or capsules containing such impregnated or encapsulated porous polymeric matrices.

Liquid form preparations include solutions, suspensions and emulsions. As an example may be mentioned water or water-propylene glycol solutions for parenteral injections or addition of sweeteners and pacifiers for oral solutions, suspensions and emulsions. Liquid form preparations may also include solutions for intranasal administration.

Aerosol preparations suitable for inhalation may include solutions and solids in powder form, which may be in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier such as inert compressed gas, e.g. nitrogen.

For preparing suppositories, a low melting wax such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides such as cocoa butter is first melted, and the active ingredient is dispersed homogeneously therein by stirring or similar mixing. The molten homogeneous mixture is then poured into convenient sized molds, allowed to cool and thereby solidify.

Also included are solid form preparations which are intended to be converted, shortly before use, to liquid form preparations for either oral or parenteral administration. Such liquid forms include solutions, suspensions and emulsions.

The compounds of the invention may also be deliverable transdermally. The transdermal compositions may take the form of creams, lotions, aerosols and/or emulsions and can be included in a transdermal patch of the matrix or reservoir type as are conventional in the art for this purpose.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered orally, intravenously, intranasally or subcutaneously.

The compounds of the invention may also comprise preparations which are in a unit dosage form. In such form, the preparation is subdivided into suitably sized unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active components, e.g., an effective amount to achieve the desired purpose.

The quantity of the inventive active composition in a unit dose of preparation may be generally varied or adjusted from about 1.0 milligram to about 1,000 milligrams, preferably from about 1.0 to about 950 milligrams, more preferably from about 1.0 to about 500 milligrams, and typically from about 1 to about 250 milligrams, according to the particular application. The actual dosage employed may be varied depending upon the patient's age, sex, weight and severity of the condition being treated. Such techniques are well known to those skilled in the art.

Generally, the human oral dosage form containing the active ingredients can be administered 1 or 2 times per day. The amount and frequency of the administration will be regulated according to the judgment of the attending clinician. A generally recommended daily dosage regimen for oral administration may range from about 1.0 milligram to about 1,000 milligrams per day, in single or divided doses.

Some useful terms are described below:

Capsule—refers to a special container or enclosure made of methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohols, or denatured gelatins or starch for holding or containing compositions comprising the active ingredients. Hard shell capsules are typically made of blends of relatively high gel strength bone and pork skin gelatins. The capsule itself may contain small amounts of dyes, opaquing agents, plasticizers and preservatives.

Tablet—refers to a compressed or molded solid dosage form containing the active ingredients with suitable diluents. The tablet can be prepared by compression of mixtures or granulations obtained by wet granulation, dry granulation or by compaction.

Oral gel—refers to the active ingredients dispersed or solubilized in a hydrophillic semi-solid matrix.

Powder for constitution refers to powder blends containing the active ingredients and suitable diluents which can be suspended in water or juices.

Diluent—refers to substances that usually make up the major portion of the composition or dosage form. Suitable diluents include sugars such as lactose, sucrose, mannitol and sorbitol; starches derived from wheat, corn, rice and potato; and celluloses such as microcrystalline cellulose. The amount of diluent in the composition can range from about 10 to about 90% by weight of the total composition, preferably from about 25 to about 75%, more preferably from about 30 to about 60% by weight, even more preferably from about 12 to about 60%.

Disintegrant—refers to materials added to the composition to help it break apart (disintegrate) and release the medicaments. Suitable disintegrants include starches; “cold water soluble” modified starches such as sodium carboxymethyl starch; natural and synthetic gums such as locust bean, karaya, guar, tragacanth and agar; cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose; microcrystalline celluloses and cross-linked microcrystalline celluloses such as sodium croscarmellose; alginates such as alginic acid and sodium alginate; clays such as bentonites; and effervescent mixtures. The amount of disintegrant in the composition can range from about 2 to about 15% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 4 to about 10% by weight.

Binder—refers to substances that bind or “glue” powders together and make them cohesive by forming granules, thus serving as the “adhesive” in the formulation. Binders add cohesive strength already available in the diluent or bulking agent. Suitable binders include sugars such as sucrose; starches derived from wheat, corn rice and potato; natural gums such as acacia, gelatin and tragacanth; derivatives of seaweed such as alginic acid, sodium alginate and ammonium calcium alginate; cellulosic materials such as methylcellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; polyvinylpyrrolidone; and inorganics such as magnesium aluminum silicate. The amount of binder in the composition can range from about 2 to about 20% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 3 to about 10% by weight, even more preferably from about 3 to about 6% by weight.

Lubricant—refers to a substance added to the dosage form to enable the tablet, granules, etc. after it has been compressed, to release from the mold or die by reducing friction or wear. Suitable lubricants include metallic stearates such as magnesium stearate, calcium stearate or potassium stearate; stearic acid; high melting point waxes; and water soluble lubricants such as sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, sodium acetate, sodium oleate, polyethylene glycols and d'l-leucine. Lubricants are usually added at the very last step before compression, since they must be present on the surfaces of the granules and in between them and the parts of the tablet press. The amount of lubricant in the composition can range from about 0.2 to about 5% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.5 to about 2%, more preferably from about 0.3 to about 1.5% by weight.

Glident—material that prevents caking and improve the flow characteristics of granulations, so that flow is smooth and uniform. Suitable glidents include silicon dioxide and talc. The amount of glident in the composition can range from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the total composition, preferably from about 0.5 to about 2% by weight.

Coloring agents—excipients that provide coloration to the composition or the dosage form. Such excipients can include food grade dyes and food grade dyes adsorbed onto a suitable adsorbent such as clay or aluminum oxide. The amount of the coloring agent can vary from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.1 to about 1%.

Bioavailability—refers to the rate and extent to which the active drug ingredient or therapeutic moiety is absorbed into the systemic circulation from an administered dosage form as compared to a standard or control.

Conventional methods for preparing tablets are known. Such methods include dry methods such as direct compression and compression of granulation produced by compaction, or wet methods or other special procedures. Conventional methods for making other forms for administration such as, for example, capsules, suppositories and the like are also well known.

Another embodiment of the invention discloses the use of the inventive compounds or pharmaceutical compositions disclosed above for treatment of diseases such as, for example, hepatitis C and the like. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of the inventive compound or pharmaceutical composition to a patient having such a disease or diseases and in need of such a treatment.

In yet another embodiment, the compounds of the invention may be used for the treatment of HCV in humans in monotherapy mode or in a combination therapy (e.g., dual combination, triple combination etc.) mode such as, for example, in combination with antiviral and/or immunomodulatory agents. Examples of such antiviral and/or immunomodulatory agents include Ribavirin (from Schering-Plough Corporation, Madison, N.J.) and Levovirin™ (from ICN Pharmaceuticals, Costa Mesa, Calif.), VP ₅₀₄₀₆™ (from Viropharma, Incorporated, Exton, Pa.), ISIS ₁₄₈₀₃™ (from ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, Calif.), Heptazyme™ (from Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, Boulder, Colo.), VX ₄₉₇™ (from Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, Mass.), Thymosin™ (from SciClone Pharmaceuticals, San Mateo, Calif.), Maxamine™ (Maxim Pharmaceuticals, San Diego, Calif.), mycophenolate mofetil (from Hoffman-LaRoche, Nutley, N.J.), interferon (such as, for example, interferon-alpha, PEG-interferon alpha conjugates) and the like. “PEG-interferon alpha conjugates” are interferon alpha molecules covalently attached to a PEG molecule. Illustrative PEG-interferon alpha conjugates include interferon alpha-2a (Roferon™, from Hoffman La-Roche, Nutley, N.J.) in the form of pegylated interferon alpha-2a (e.g., as sold under the trade name PegaSyS™), interferon alpha-2b (Intron™, from Schering-Plough Corporation) in the form of pegylated interferon alpha-2b (e.g., as sold under the trade name PEG-Intron™), interferon alpha-2c (Berofor Alpha™, from Boehringer Ingelheim, Ingelheim, Germany) or consensus interferon as defined by determination of a consensus sequence of naturally occurring interferon alphas (Infergen™, from Amgen, Thousand Oaks, Calif.).

As stated earlier, the invention includes tautomers, rotamers, enantiomers and other stereoisomers of the inventive compounds also. Thus, as one skilled in the art appreciates, some of the inventive compounds may exist in suitable isomeric forms. Such variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

Another embodiment of the invention discloses a method of making the compounds disclosed herein. The compounds may be prepared by several techniques known in the art. Illustrative procedures are outlined in the following reaction schemes. The illustrations should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims. Alternative mechanistic pathways and analogous structures will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It is to be understood that while the following illustrative schemes describe the preparation of a few representative inventive compounds, suitable substitution of any of both the natural and unnatural amino acids will result in the formation of the desired compounds based on such substitution. Such variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the invention.

For the procedures described below, the following abbreviations are used:

-   THF: Tetrahydrofuran -   DMF: N,N-Dimethylformamide -   EtOAc: Ethyl acetate -   AcOH: Acetic acid -   HOOBt: 3-Hydroxy-1,2,3-benzotriazin-4(3H)-one -   EDCl: 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride -   NMM: N-Methylmorpholine -   ADDP: 1,1′-(Azodicarbobyl)dipiperidine -   DEAD: Diethylazodicarboxylate -   MeOH: Methanol -   EtOH: Ethanol -   Et2O: Diethyl ether -   DMSO: Dimethylsulfoxide -   HOBt: N-Hydroxybenzotriazole -   PyBrOP: Bromo-tris-pyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate -   DCM: Dichloromethane -   DCC: 1,3-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide -   TEMPO: 2,2,6,6-Tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy -   Phg: Phenylglycine -   Chg: Cyclohexylglycine -   Bn: Benzyl -   Bzl: Benzyl -   Et: Ethyl -   Ph: Phenyl -   iBoc: isobutoxycarbonyl -   iPr: isopropyl -   ^(t)Bu or Bu^(t): tert-Butyl -   Boc: tert-Butyloxycarbonyl -   Cbz: Benzyloxycarbonyl -   Cp: Cylcopentyldienyl -   Ts: p-toluenesulfonyl -   Me: Methyl -   HATU: O-(7-azabenzotriazol-1-yl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyluronium     hexafluorophosphate -   DMAP: 4-N,N-Dimethylaminopyridine -   BOP: Benzotriazol-1-yl-oxy-tris(dimethylamino)hexafluorophosphate -   PCC: Pyridiniumchlorochromate -   KHMDS: Potassium Hexamethyldisilazide or Potassium     bis(trimethylsilylamide) -   NaHMDS: Sodium Hexamethyidisilazide or Sodium     bis(trimethylsilylamide) -   LiHMDS: Lithium Hexamethyldisilazide or Lithium     bis(trimethylsilylamide) -   10% Pd/C: 10% Palladium on carbon (by weight). -   TG: Thioglycerol     General Schemes for Preparation of Target Compounds

Compounds of the present invention were synthesized using the general schemes (Methods A-E) described below.

Method A

Deprotection of the N-Boc functionality of 1.01 under acidic conditions provided the hydrochloride salt 1.02 which was subsequently coupled with N-Boc-tert-leucine under peptide coupling methodology to afford 1.03. N-Boc deprotection followed by treatment with appropriate isocyanate gave the urea 1.05. Hydrolysis of the methyl ester provided the acid 1.06. Peptide coupling of the acid 1.06 with the appropriate P₁-P′ primary amide moiety afforded the hydroxyl amide 1.07. Oxidation (Moffaft oxidation or related process—see, T. T. Tidwell, Synthesis, 1990, 857), or Dess-Martin Periodinane—J. Org. Chem., (1983) 48, 4155) resulted in the target compound 1.08.

Method B

Peptide coupling of the acid 1.06 with the appropriate P₁-P′ secondary amide moiety afforded the hydroxyl amide 1.09. Oxidation (Moffatt or Dess-Martin's) resulted in the target compound 1.10.

Method C

In another variation, peptide coupling of the N-Boc-P2-P₃-acid 1.17 with the appropriate P₁-P′ amide moiety afforded the hydroxyl amide 1.11. Oxidation (Moffatt or Dess-Martin Periodinane) resulted in the keto amide 1.12. Deprotection of the N-Boc functionality gave the hydrochloride salt 1.13. Treatment with a suitable isocyanate (or isocyanate equivalent) resulted in the target compound 1.14.

Method D

In yet another variation, the hydrochloride salt 1.13 was converted to the 4-nitrophenyl carbamate 1.15 by reaction with 4-nitrophenyl chloroformate. Subsequent treatment with an amine (or amine hydrochloride salt) of choice provided the target compound 1.14.

Method E

In yet another variation, the dipeptide hydrochloride salt 1.03 was converted to the 4-nitrophenyl carbamate as described above. Treatment with an amine (or amine hydrochloride salt) of choice provided the urea derivative 1.05. Hydrolysis and further elaboration as described in Methods A/B provided the target compounds 1.14.

Preparation of P1-P′ Moieties Preparation of Intermediates 10.11 and 10.12 Step 1.

A stirred solution of ketimine 10.01 (50 g, 187.1 mmol) under N₂ in dry THF (400 mL) was cooled to −78° C. and treated with 1 M solution of K-^(t)BuO (220 mL, 1.15 equiv.) in THF. The reaction mixture was warmed to 0° C. and stirred for 1 h and treated with bromomethyl cyclobutane (28 mL, 249 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 48 h and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in Et₂O (300 mL) and treated with aq. HCl (2 M, 300 mL) The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 5 h and extracted with Et₂O (1 L). The aqueous layer was made basic to pH ˜12-14 with NaOH (50% aq.) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×300 mL). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated to give the pure amine (10.02, 18 g) as a colorless oil.

Step 2.

A solution of the amine 10.02 (18 g, 105.2 mmol) at 0° C. in CH₂Cl₂ (350 mL) was treated with di-tert-butyldicarbonate (23 g, 105.4 mmol) and stirred at rt. for 12 h. After the completion of the reaction (TLC), the reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue was dissolved in THF/H₂O (200 ml, 1:1) and treated with LiOH.H₂O (6.5 g, 158.5 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the basic aqueous layer was extracted with Et₂O. The aqueous layer was acidified with conc. HCl to pH˜1-2 and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and concentrated in vacuo to yield 10.03 as a colorless viscous oil which was used for the next step without any further purification.

Step 3.

A solution of the acid 10.03 (15.0 g, 62 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (250 mL) was treated with BOP reagent (41.1 g, 93 mmol), N-methyl morpholine (27 mL), N,O-dimethyl hydroxylamine hydrochloride (9.07 g, 93 mmol) and stirred overnight at rt. The reaction mixture was diluted with 1 N aq. HCl (250 mL), and the layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×300 ml). The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo and purified by chromatography (SiO₂, EtOAc/Hex 2:3) to yield the amide 10.04 (15.0 g) as a colorless solid.

Step 4.

A solution of the amide 10.04 (15 g, 52.1 mmol) in dry THF (200 mL) was treated dropwise with a solution of LiAlH₄ (1M, 93 mL, 93 mmol) at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h and carefully quenched at 0° C. with a solution of KHSO₄ (10% aq.) and stirred for 0.5 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with aq. HCl (1 M, 150 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×200 mL), The combined organic layers were washed with aq. HCl (1 M), saturated NaHCO₃, brine, and dried (MgSO₄). The mixture was filtered and concentrated in vacuo to yield 10.05 as a viscous colorless oil (14 g).

Step 5:

A solution of the aldehyde 10.05 (14 g, 61.6 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL), was treated with Et₃N (10.73 mL, 74.4 mmol), and acetone cyanohydrin (10.86 g, 127.57 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo and diluted with aq. HCl (1 M, 200 mL) and extracted into CH₂Cl₂ (3×200 mL). The combined organic layer were washed with H₂O, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, concentrated in vacuo and purified by chromatography (SiO₂, EtOAc/Hex 1:4) to yield 10.06 (10.3 g) as a colorless liquid

Step 6.

Methanol saturated with HCl*, prepared by bubbling HCl gas through CH₃OH (700 ml) at 0° C., was treated with the cyanohydrin 10.06 and heated to reflux for 24 h. The reaction was concentrated in vacuo to yield 10.07, which was used in the next step without purification. * Alternatively 6M HCl prepared by addition of AcCl to dry methanol can also be used.

Step 7.

A solution of the amine hydrochloride 10.07 in CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) was treated with Et₃N (45.0 mL, 315 mmol) and Boc₂O (45.7 g, 209 mmol) at −78° C. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature overnight and diluted with HCl (2 M, 200 mL) and extracted into CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were dried (MgSO₄) filtered, concentrated in vacuo and purified by chromatography (EtOAc/Hex 1:4) to yield hydroxy ester 10.08.

Step 8.

A solution of methyl ester 10.08 (3 g, 10.5 mmol ) in THF/H₂O (1:1) was treated with LiOH.H₂O (645 mg, 15.75 mmol) and stirred at rt. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was acidified with aq HCl (1 M, 15 mL) and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was dried in vacuum to afford 10.09 in quantitative yield.

Step 9

A solution of the acid 10.09 (from above) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) and DMF (25 mL) was treated with NH₄Cl (2.94 g, 55.5 mmol), EDCl (3.15 g, 16.5 mmol), HOOBt (2.69 g, 16.5 mmol), and NMM (4.4 g, 44 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 d. The solvents were removed under vacuo and the residue was diluted with aq. HCl (250 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were washed with aq. saturated NaHCO₃, dried (MgSO₄) filtered concentrated in vacuo to obtain 10.10, which was used as it was in the following steps. (Alternatively 10.10 can also be obtained directly by the reaction of 10.06 (4.5 g, 17.7 mmol) with aq. H₂O₂ (10 mL), LiOH.H₂O (820 mg, 20.8 mmol) at 0° C. in 50 mL of CH₃OH for 0.5 h.).

Step 10.

A solution of 10.10 obtained in the previous step was dissolved in 4 N HCl in dioxane and stirred at rt. for 2 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo to give the intermediate 10.11 as a solid, which was used without further purification.

Step 11.

The required intermediate 10.12 was obtained from compound 10.09 using essentially the procedures described above in Steps 9, 10 with appropriate reagents.

Preparation of Intermediate 11.01

Step 1

To a solution of 4-pentyn-1-ol, 11.02 (4.15 g; Aldrich) was added Dess-Martin Periodinane (30.25 g; Aldrich) and the resulting mixture was stirred for 45 min. before the addition of (tert-Butoxycarbonylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane (26.75 g; Aldrich). The resulting dark reaction was stirred overnight, diluted with EtOAc), washed with aq. sodium sulfite. sat. aq. NaHCO3, water, brine and dried. The volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using 1% EtOAc in hexanes as eluent to give the desired compound, 11.03 (3.92 g). Some impure fractions were also obtained but set aside at this time.

Step 2

Using the alkene 11.03 (1.9 g) in n-propanol (20 ml; Aldrich)), benzyl carbamate (4.95 g; Aldrich) in n-propanol (40 ml), NaOH (1.29 g) in water (79 ml), tert-butyl hypochlorite (3.7 ml), (DHQ)2PHAL (0.423 g; Aldrich)) in n-propanol (37.5 ml), and potassium osmate:dehydrate (0.1544 g; Aldrich) and the procedure set forth in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl (1998), 35, (23/24), pp. 2813-7 gave a crude product which was purified by silica gel column chromatography using EtOAc:Hexanes (1:5) to give the desired amino alcohol 11.04 (1.37 g, 37%) as a white solid.

Step 3

To the ester 11.04 (0.700 g) was added 4M HCl in dioxane (20 ml; Aldrich) and the resulting mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. The volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to give the acid 11.05 (0.621 g) as a white solid.

Step 4

BOP reagent (3.65 g; Sigma) followed by triethylamine (3.45 ml) were added to a dichloromethane (20 ml) solution of the carboxylic acid 11.05 (2.00 g) and allyl amine (0.616 ml) at room temperature and the resulting mixture was stirred overnight. The reaction mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and 10% aq. HCl. The organic phase was separated, washed with sat. aq. sodium bicarbonate, water, dried (magnesium sulfate). The crude reaction product was purified by silica gel column chromatography using (EtOAc:Hexanes; 70:30) as eluent to provide the desired amide 11.01 (1.73 g) as a viscous yellow oil.

Preparation of Intermediates 12.03 and 12.04

Step 1

Compound 12.01 was converted to the required material 12.02 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 10.11, Steps 3-8.

Step 2

Compound 12.02 was converted to the required intermediate 12.03 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 10.11, Steps 9, 10.

Step 3

Compound 12.02 was converted to the required intermediate 12.03 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 10.12, Step 11.

Preparation of Intermediate 13.01

Step 1

To a stirred solution of 1-nitrobutane, 13.02 (16.5 g, 0.16 mol) and glyoxylic acid in H₂O (28.1 g, 0.305 mol) and MeOH (122 mL) at 0° C.-5° C., was added dropwise triethylamine (93 mL, 0.667 mol) over 2 hrs. The solution was warmed to room temperature, stirred overnight and concentrated to dryness to give an oil. The oil was then dissolved in H₂O and acidified to pH=1 with 10% HCl, followed by extraction with EtOAc. The combined organic solution was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to dryness to give the product 13.03 (28.1 g, 99% yield).

Step 2

To a stirred solution of compound 13.03 (240 g, 1.35 mol) in acetic acid (1.25 L) was added 10% Pd/C (37 g). The resulting solution was hydrogenated at 59 psi for 3 hrs and then at 60 psi overnight. The acetic acid was then evaporated and azeotroped 3 times with toluene, then triturated with MeOH and ether. The solution was then filtered and azeotroped twice with toluene to afford 13.04 as an off white solid (131 g, 0.891 mol, 66%).

Step 3

To a stirred solution of the amino acid 13.04 (2.0 g, 13.6 mmol) in dioxane (10 mL) and H₂O (5 mL) at 0° C., was added 1N NaOH solution (4.3 mL, 14.0 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred for 10 minutes, followed by addition of di-t-butyldicarbonate (0.110 g, 14.0 mmol) and stirred at 0° C. for 15 minutes. The solution was then warmed to room temperature, stirred for 45 minutes and kept at refrigerator overnight and concentrated to dryness to give a crude material. To the solution of this crude material in EtOAc (100 mL) and ice, was added KHSO₄ (3.36 g) and H₂O (32 mL) and stirred for 4-6 minutes. The organic layer was then separated and the aqueous layer was extracted twice with EtOAc and the combined organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated to dryness to give the product 13.05 as a clear gum (3.0 g, 89% yield).

Step 4:

Compound 13.05 was converted to the required intermediate 13.01 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 10.12, Step 11.

Preparation of Intermediate 14.01

Step 1

Compound 14.02 was converted to the required material 14.03 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 13.01, Steps 1-3.

Step 2

Compound 14.03 was converted to the required intermediate 14.01 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 10.12, Step 11.

Preparation of Intermediate 15.01

Step 1

To a suspension of silver nitrite (9 g, 58.5 mmol) in diethyl ether (25 mL) at 0° C. was added a solution of 4-iodo-1,1,1-trifluorobutane, 15.02 (10 g, 42.0 mmol) in diethyl ether (25 mL) slowly through an addition funnel (approx. 15 min). The resulting mixture was vigorously stirred at 0° C. and warmed to rt. After 50 h, the solid material was filtered off through a celite pad. The resulting diethyl ether solution was concentrated in vacuo to give 15.03 as colorless oil, which was used without further purification.

Step 2

Compound 15.03 was converted to the required material 15.04 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 13.01, Steps 1-3.

Step 3

Compound 15.04 was converted to the required intermediate 15.01 using essentially the procedures described for Intermediate 10.12, Step 11.

Preparation of Intermediate 16.01

The acid 16.02 (Winkler, D.; Burger, K., Synthesis, 1996, 1419) is processed as described above (preparation of Intermediate 10.12) to give the expected intermediate 16.01

PREPARATION OF P2/P3-P2 MOIETIES

Preparation of Intermediate 20.01

The amino ester 20.01 was prepared following the method of R. Zhang and J. S. Madalengoitia (J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 330), with the exception that the Boc group was cleaved by the reaction of the Boc-protected amino acid with methanolic HCl. (Note: In a variation of the reported synthesis, the sulfonium ylide was replaced with the corresponding phosphonium ylide).

Preparation of Intermediate 20.04

Step 1

A solution of commercial amino acid Boc-Chg-OH, 20.02 (Senn chemicals, 6.64 g, 24.1 mmol) and amine hydrochloride 20.01 (4.5 g, 22 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (100 mL) at 0° C. was treated with BOP reagent and stirred at rt. for 15 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo, then it was diluted with aq. 1 M HCl and extracted into EtOAc (3×200 mL). The combined organic layers were washed with saturated NaHCO₃ (200 mL), dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo, and chromatographed (SiO₂, EtOAc/Hex 3:7) to obtain 20.03 (6.0 g) as a colorless solid.

Step 2:

A solution of methyl ester 20.03 (4.0 g, 9.79 mmol) in THF/H₂O (1:1) was treated with LiOH.H₂O (401 mg, 9.79 mmol) and stirred at rt. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was acidified with aq. HCl and concentrated in vacuo to obtain the required intermediate, free acid 20.04.

Preparation of Intermediate 20.07

Step 1

A solution of Boc-tert-Leu 20.05 (Fluka, 5.0 g 21.6 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂/DMF (50 mL, 1:1) was cooled to 0° C. and treated with the amine salt 20.01 (5.3 g, 25.7 mmol), NMM (6.5 g, 64.8 mmol) and BOP reagent (11.6 g, 25.7 mmol). The reaction was stirred at rt. for 24 h, diluted with aq. HCl (1 M) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organic layers were washed with HCl (aq, 1 M), saturated NaHCO₃, brine, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and concentrated in vacuo and purified by chromatography (SiO2, Acetone/Hexane 1:5) to yield 20.06 as a colorless solid.

Step 2

A solution of methyl ester 20.06 (4.0 g, 10.46 mmol) was dissolved in 4M HCl in dioxane and stirred at rt. for 3 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated in vacuo to obtain the amine hydrochloride salt, 20.07 which was used without purification.

Preparation of Intermediate 21.01:

Step 1:

To a stirred solution of N-Boc-3,4-dehydroproline 21.02 (5.0 g, 23.5 mmol), di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (7.5 g, 34.4 mmol), and 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (0.40 g, 3.33 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 mL) at room temperature was added triethylamine (5.0 mL, 35.6 mmol). The resulting solution was stirred at this temperature for 18 h before it was concentrated in vacuo. The dark brown residue was purified by flash column chromatography eluting with 10-25% EtOAc/hexane to give the product 21.03 as a pale yellow oil (5.29 g, 84%).

Step 2:

To a stirred solution of the dehydroproline derivative 21.03 (10.1 g, 37.4 mmol), benzyltriethylammonium chloride (1.60 g, 7.02 mmol) in chloroform (120 mL) at room temperature was added 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide (120 g). After vigorously stirred at this temperature for 24 h, the dark mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) and diethyl ether (600 mL). After the layers were separated, the aqueous solution was extracted with CH₂Cl₂/Et₂O (1:2, 3×600 mL). The organic solution was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash column chromatography using 5-20% EtOAc/hexane to afford 9.34 g (71%) of 21.04 as an off-white solid.

Step 3:

The solution of 21.04 (9.34 g, 26.5 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (25 mL) and CF₃CO₂H (50 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 4.5 h before it was concentrated in vacuo to give a brown residue, 21.05 which was used in Step 4 without further purification.

Step 4

Concentrated hydrochloric acid (4.5 mL) was added to a solution of the residue 21.05 from Step 3 in methanol (70 mL) and the resulting mixture was warmed to 65° C. in an oil bath. After 18 h, the mixture was concentrated in vacuo to give a brown oil 21.01, which was used further without purification.

Preparation of Intermediate 22.01

Step 1

Potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (158 ml of a 0.5M solution in toluene; 79 mmol) was added to a stirred suspension of cyclopropyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (33.12 g; 86.4 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (130 ml) and the resulting orange mixture was stirred under an atmosphere of nitrogen at room temperature for a period of 1 h., before the addition of the aldehyde 22.02 (9.68 g; 42.2 mmol) in THF (8 ml). The reaction was then refluxed under an atmosphere of nitrogen for a period of 2 h. After cooling, methanol, diethyl ether and Rochelles salt were added. The organic phase was separated, washed with brine, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude reaction product was purified by silica gel column chromatography using EtOAc-hexane (1:99) to EtOAc-hexane (5:95) to provide the alkene 22.03 (8.47 g) as a yellow oil.

Step 2

A solution of 1M HCl in MeOH/MeOAc was prepared by adding 14.2 ml of acetyl chloride dropwise into cold methanol and diluting the resulting solution to 200 ml at room temperature.

The carbamate 22.03 (9.49 g; 37.5 mmol) was dissolved in methanol (12 ml) and added to 1M HCl in MeOH/MeOAc (150 ml) while cooled in an ice bath. The resulting mixture was maintained at this temperature for 1 h., then the ice bath was removed and stirring continued overnight at room temperature. The volatiles were removed under reduced pressure to yield a yellow oil which was used in the next step without purification.

The yellow oil was dissolved in a mixture of THF (30 ml) and MeOH (20 ml) and treated with triethylamine (15 ml; 108 mmol) until the solution was pH=9-10. After placing in an ice bath, the mixture was treated with N-Boc-Gly-OSu (11.22 g; 41 mmol). The ice bath was withdrawn and the reaction stirred at room temp. for 1 h. The volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using methanol (1-3%) in dichloromethane providing the desired amide 22.04 (9.09 g).

Step 3

The alcohol 22.04 (9.09 g; 33.6 mmol) was dissolved in acetone (118.5 ml) and treated with 2,2-dimethoxypropane (37.4 ml; 304 mmol) and BF₃:Et₂O (0.32 ml; 2.6 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for a period of 5.5 h The reaction solution was treated with a few drops of triethylamine and the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using 5-25% EtOAc in hexanes to provide the N,O-acetal 22.05 (8.85 g).

Step 4

The carbamate 22.05 (8.81 g; 28.4 mmol) was dissolved in acetonitrile (45 ml) and the solution was cooled to −40° C. under an atmosphere of nitrogen. Pyridine (6.9 ml; 85.3 mmol) followed by nitrosium tetrafluoroborate (6.63 g; 56.8 mmol) were added and the resulting reaction mixture maintained below 0° C. until TLC indicated that no starting material remained (approx. 2.25 h.). Pyrrolidine (20 ml; 240 mmol) was added and the cooling bath was withdrawn and stirring was continued at room temperature for 1 h. and then the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure. The residue was quickly passed through a pad of silica gel to provide a yellow oil.

The yellow oil was dissolved in anhydrous benzene (220 ml) and palladium acetate (0.317 g; 1.41 mmol) was added before heating the resulting mixture to reflux, under an atmosphere of nitrogen for a period of 1.5 h. After cooling, the volatiles were removed under reduced pressure and the dark residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using EtOAc-hexane (1:4) to provide the I) the trans-pyrrolidinone 22.06 (1.94 g) followed by ii) the cis-pyrrolidinone 22.07 (1.97 g).

Step 5

Freshly prepared 1M HCl in MeOAc/MeOH (10 ml; as described above) was added to the N,O-acetal 22.06 and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using 0-4% MeOH in dichloromethane as eluent to provide the desired alcohol 22.08 (1.42 g), a yellow oil.

Step 6

To a solution of the lactam 22.08 (1.29 g; 8.44 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (55 ml) was added lithium aluminum hydride (2.40 g; 63.2 mmol) and the resulting mixture was refluxed for 8 h. After cooling, water, followed by 15% aq. NaOH were added and the resulting mixture was filtered through celite and the solid was washed thoroughly with THF and MeOH. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the residue redissolved in dichloromethane, dried and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide the pyrrolidine, used without purification.

Hunigs base (4.5 ml; 25.8 mmol) was added to a mixture of N-Boc-L-tert-Leu-OH (1.76 g; 7.6 mmol), The crude pyrrolidine and HATU (2.89 g; 7.6 mmol) in anhydrous dichloromethane (50 ml) at −60° C., under an atmosphere of nitrogen. The resulting reaction was allowed to come to room temperature slowly, overnight. EtOAc was added and the yellow solution was washed with dil. aq. HCl, sat. aq. sodium bicarbonate, water, brine. The organic layer was dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography using EtOAc:hexanes (1:3) to give the desired amide 22.09 (2.00 g).

Step 7

The alcohol 22.09 (2.00 g; 5.67 mmol) was dissolved in acetone (116 ml) and cooled in an ice bath for 10 min. This solution was then added to a cooled Jones reagent (14.2 ml; approx 2 mmol/ml) and the resulting mixture was stirred at 5° C. for 0.5 h and the cooling bath was removed. The reaction was stirred for a further 2 h. at room temp., before adding to sodium sulfate (28.54 g), celite (15 g) in EtOAc (100 ml). Isopropanol (15 ml) was added after 1 min and then stirred for a further 10 min. and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, providing a brown oil which was dissolved in EtOAc. This solution was washed with water, 3% aq. citric acid, brine, dried and concentrated to provide the desired carboxylic acid 22.01 (1.64 g) as a white solid.

Preparation of Intermediate 23.01

Step 1:

To the mixture of ester 23.02 (6.0 g) and molecular sieve (5.2 g) in anhydrous methylene chloride (35 mL) was added pyrrolidine (5.7 mL, 66.36 mmoL). The resulting brown slurry was stirred at room temperature under N₂ for 24 h, filtered and washed with anhydrous CH₃CN. The combined filtrate was concentrated to yield the desired product, 23.03.

Step 2:

To a solution of the product 23.03 from proceeding step in CH₃CN (35 mL) was added anhydrous K₂CO₃, methallyl chloride (2.77 g, 30.5 mmoL), Nal (1.07 g, 6.7 mmoL). The resulting slurry was stirred at ambient temperature under N₂ for 24 h. 50 mL of ice-cold water was added followed by 2N KHSO₄ solution until pH was 1. EtOAc (100 mL) was added and the mixture was stirred for 0.75 h. Combined organic layer was collected and washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to yield the desired product, 23.04.

Step 3:

The product 23.04 from the preceding step (2.7 g, 8.16 mmoL) was dissolved in dioxane (20 mL) and treated with freshly prepared 1N LiOH (9 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature under N₂ for 20 h. The reaction mixture was taken in EtOAc and washed with H₂O. The combined aqueous phase was cooled to 0° C. and acidified to pH 1.65 using 1N HCl. The turbid mixture was extracted with EtOAc (2×100 mL). Combined organic layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated to give the desired acid, 23.05 (3.40 g).

Step 4:

To a suspension of NaBH(OAc)₃ (3.93 g, 18.5 mmoL) in CH₂Cl₂ (55 mL) was added a solution of product 23.05 from preceding step in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (20 mL) and acetic acid (2 mL). The slurry was stirred at ambient temperature for 20 h . Ice cold water (100 mL) was added to the slurry and stirred for ½ hr. Organic layer was separated, filtered, dried and evaporated to yield the desired product, 23.06.

Step 5:

To a solution of the product 23.06 from preceding step (1.9 g) in MeOH (40 mL) was treated with excess of CH₂N₂/Et₂O solution and stirred for overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness to yield a crude residue. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of EtOAc/hexane to afford 1.07 g of the pure desired product, 23.07.

Step 6:

To a solution of product 23.07 from preceding step (1.36 g) in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (40 mL) was treated with BF₃. Me₂O (0.7 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 20 h and quenched with sat. NaHCO₃ (30 mL) ad stirred for ½ hr. Organic layer was separated and combined organic layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, concentrated to give crude residue. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with a gradient of EtOAc/hexane to afford 0.88 g of the desired compound, 23.08.

Step 7:

To a solution of the product 23.08 (0.92 g) from preceding step in MeOH (30 mL) was added 10% Pd/C (0.16 g) at room temperature and hydrogenated at ambient temperature under 1 atm. Pressure. The reaction mixture was stirred for 4 h and concentrated to dryness to yield the desired compound, 23.01.

PREPARATION OF P3 MOIETIES

Preparation of Intermediate 50.01

Step 1

To a solution of 50.02 (15 g) in MeOH (150 mL) was added conc HCl (3-4 mL) and the mixture was refluxed for 16 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature and concentrated. The residue was taken in diethyl ether (250 mL) and washed with cold saturated sodium bicarbonate solution, and brine. The organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to afford the methyl ester 50.03 (12.98 g) which was carried forward without further purification.

Step 2

The methyl ester 50.03 from above was dissolved in methylene chloride (100 mL) and cooled to −78° C., under nitrogen atmosphere. DIBAL (1.0 M solution in methylene chloride, 200 mL) was added dropwise over 2 h period. The reaction mixture was warmed to room temperature over 16 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C. and MeOH (5-8 mL) was added dropwise. A solution of aqueous 10% sodium potassium tartarate (200 mL) was slowly added with stirring. Diluted with methylene chloride (100 mL) and separated the organic layer (along with some white precipitate). The organic layer was washed with 1 N HCl (250 mL), brine (200 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to provide the alcohol 50.04 (11.00 g) as a clear oil.

Step 3

The alcohol 50.04 from above was dissolved in methylene chloride (400 mL) and cooled to 0° C. under nitrogen atmosphere. PCC (22.2 g) was added in portions and the reaction mixture was slowly warmed to room temperature over 16 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with diethyl ether (500 mL) and filtered through a pad of celite. The filtrate was concentrated and the residue was taken in diethyl ether (500 mL). This was passed through a pad of silica gel and the filtrate was concentrated to provide the aldehyde 50.05 which was carried forward without further purification.

Step 4

The aldehyde 50.05 from above was converted to the desired material 50.01 using essentially the method of Chakraborty et. al (Tetrahedron, 1995, 51(33), 9179-90).

PREPARATION OF SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM TABLE 1 Example I Preparation of Compound of Formula 4010

Part I: Preparation of intermediate 4010.06

To a −20° C. solution of Amine 4010.01 (10 g, 72 mmol) prepared following the method of R. Zhang and J. S. Madalengoitia (J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 330) in DCM (200 mL) was added HATU (1.05 equiv, 28.8 g), Boc-L-Tert Leucine (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., 1.1 equiv, 79.2 mmol, 18.3 g) and DIPEA (0.2 mol, 40 mL). Reaction was stirred for 24 h then was diluted with EtOAc and washed with NaHCO3. Organic layer was washed with citric acid then brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue 4010.03 (72 mmol) was dissolved in Acetone (1.2 L) at 0° C. Then, 5 equiv of Jones reagent (138 mL, 360 mmol,. prepared by dissolving 91 g of Chromium trioxide in 70 mL of conc, H2SO4 and diluted to 300 mL) were added. After 45 min, no starting material was detected by TLC. Isopropanol (40 mL) was added and 500 mL of EtOAc. The green solution was filtered off through a pad of celite and the filtrate concentrated to dryness. The residue was diluted with 10% sodium carbonate and extracted with Et₂O. The aqueous layer was then acidified to pH=2 with HCl 3.0 N and extracted with EtOAc (3 times 200 mL). Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. to yield 21.55 g of intermediate 4010.04.

Step2:

To a −20° C. solution 4010.04 (10.4 g, 28 mmol) in DCM (300 mL) was added HATU (1.05 equiv, 29.4 mmol, 11.2 g), amine salt 12.03 (1.0 equiv, 28 mmol, 5.48 g, prepared as described in Preparation of intermediates, preparation of P1-P′ moieties). After 10 min at −20° C., DIPEA (3.6 equiv, 100 mmol, 17.4 mL) was added. Reaction was stirred at this temp for 16 h. After 16, the reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed successively with NaHCO3, citric acid (10% w/w) and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. to yield: 14 g of intermediate 4010.05.

Step3:

Et3N (3 equiv., 5.2 mmol, 0.72 mL) is added to a mixture of crude 4010.05 (1.06 g, 1.73 mmol theoretical) and EDCl (4 equiv., 6.92 mmol, 1.33 g) in EtOAc (12 mL) at RT. After addition, DMSO (4.5 mL) was slowly charged. This was followed by addition of methanesulfonic acid (3.6 equiv, 6.22 mmol, 0.4 mL) with temperature between 20 and 30° C. The reaction was agitated for 1 h. After 1 h, TLC shows reaction completed. At 0° C., a chilled mixture of EtOAc (12 mL) and iced water (2 mL) was added. After 2 minutes, the biphasic mixture was allowed to settle and the layers were separated. The upper organic layer was washed with H2O and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by HPFC, 25+M, 15% to 60% (EtOAc) in Hexanes. Purification provided (0.6 g) of ketoamide. To a RT solution ketoamide (0.6 g) was added 25 mL of a 4.0 N HCl solution in Dioxane. Reaction was stirred at RT for 1 h to observe completion then concentrated to about 5 mL and diluted with Heptanes and Ether.(10 mL each). The resulting white precipitate was filtered off and dried under a N2 flow to provide 0.49 g (81% yield) of intermediate 4010.06.

Part II: Preparation of intermediate 4010.10

Step 1:

PhMgBr (2.5 equiv, 40 mL) was added @ −78° C. to a Et2O (200 mL) solution of commercially available Weinreb amide 4010.07 (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., USA, 12 g, 46 mmol). After 2 h, reaction was quenched by addition of HCl 1.0 N, diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by HPFC Biotage 75+S, 2% (EtOAc) to 8% (EtOAc) in Hexane. 3.76 g of 4010.08 were obtained.

Step2:

To 4010.08 (1.93 g, 6.9 mmol) was added 5 mL of 4M HCl (in Dioxane). The reaction was stirred at RT for 50 min and concentrated to dryness to get 1.29 g of product 4010.09.

Step3:

To a 0° C. solution of phosgene (6.3 mL) in CH₂Cl₂ (50 mL) and NaHCO₃ (sat.) (50 mL) was added 4010.09 (1.29 g, 6 mmol). The mixture was stirred at RT for 2.5 h then separated. Organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ (anhydrous) and concentrated under vacuum to half volume with cooling bath. Diluted it to 20 mL with CH₂Cl₂ to get 4010.10 as a 0.3M solution in CH₂Cl₂.

Part III: Preparation of Compound of Formula 4010 of Table 1

Following general method C: To a 0° C. solution of amine 4010.06 (20 mg, 0.045 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (2 mL) was added isocyanate 4010.10 (2 equiv., 0.3 mL) then DIPEA (0.035 mmol, 0.06 mL). The reaction was stirred at RT for 1.2 hrs then diluted with EtOAc and washed with sat. NH4Cl and Brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to dryness. Residue was purified by plate with 40% acetone in hexane to get 12.7 mg of product 4010 (46% yield); LCMS: (610.1: M+1), (632: M+Na).

HCV inhibitors 4028, 4031, 4062, 4082, 4102, 4109, 4110, 4119, 4120, 4151, 4152, 4153, 4154, 4163, 4165, 4176, 4184 and 4201 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediate 4010.10.

Example II Preparation of Intermediate of Formula 4035.01, 4044.01, 4048.01, 4052.01, 4055.01, and 4076.01

Isocyanates 4035.01, 4044.01, 4055.01, 4048.01 and 4076.01 were prepared according the procedure outlined in preparative example I by replacing in step1 the commercially available (L)-Valine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide with the corresponding tert-Leucine, cyclohexylglycine, spirocyclohexylglycine, cyclobutylglycine, homovaline, cyclopentylglycine respectively. N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide were prepared from commercially N-Boc amino acids following the procedure outlined in step1 of preparative example of compound of formula 4032.

HCV inhibitors 4035, 4042, 4044, 4048, 4051, 4052, 4055, 4076, 4126, 4141 and 4147 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediates 4005.01, 4035.01, 4048.01, 4052.01, 4055.01, and 4076.01 according to the general procedures described before.

Example III Preparation of Intermediate of Formula 4011.01, 4079.01 and 4097.01

Isocyanates 4011.01, 4079.01 and 4097.01 were prepared according the procedure outlined in preparative example I by replacing in step1 the Phenylmagnesium bromide by the commercially available Benzylmagnesium chloride and Phenethylmagnesium chloride with (L)-Valine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Homovaline N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or tert-Leucine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide.

HCV inhibitors 4011, 4068, 4079 and 4097 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediates 4011.01, 4079,01 and 4097.01 according to the general procedures described before.

Example IV Preparation of Intermediates of Formula 4012.01

X=F, Cl, Br, CF₃, OMe, OPh, OCH₂Ph, Me, NMe₂, SMe ortho, meta and para position R=(L)-Valine, (L)-tert-Leucine, (L)-Cyclhohexylglycine

Isocyanates of type 4012.01 were prepared according the procedure outlined in preparative example I by replacing in step1 the Phenylmagnesium bromide by the corresponding commercially available ortho, meta or para-substituted Phenyl Grignard reagents (as an example but not limited to: X=F, Cl, Br, CF3, OMe, OPh, OCH₂Ph, Me, NMe₂, SMe) with (L)-Valine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or with the corresponding tert-Leucine and cyclohexylglycine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide. HCV inhibitors 4012, 4027, 4029, 4045, 4064, 4071, 4075, 4083, 4088, 4090, 4094, 4100, 4104, 4113, 4121, 4122, 4130, 4136, 4140, 4157, 4160 and 4177 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediates 4012.01 according to the general procedures described before.

Example V Preparation of Intermediate of Formula 4017.01, 4078.01, 4095.01, 4041.01, 4175.01 and 4190.01

Amine salts 4017.01, 4041.01, 4078.01, 4095.01 and 4175.01 were prepared according the procedure outlined in preparative example I step1 and step2 by replacing in step1 the Phenylmagnesium bromide by the corresponding Magnesium bromide Pyridine that were reacted with the corresponding (L)-Valine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Homovaline N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-tert-Leucine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Cyclohexylglycine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide. The corresponding 2, 3 and 4 Magnesium bromide Pyridine were prepared according Queguiner and all, Tetrahedron, 2000, 56, 1349-1360. For the amine salt 4190.01, 2 magnesium bromide pyridine was reacted with aldehyde 4190.02 and alcohol 4190.03 was oxidized to pyridine ketone 4190.04 according scheme 4190.01.

HCV inhibitors 4017, 4022, 4041, 4065, 4078, 4095, 4096, 4101, 4168, 4170, 4172, 4176, 4190, 4199 and 4205 described in Table 1 were prepared using amine salts 4017.01, 4041.01, 4078.01, 4095.01, 4175.01 and 4190.01 and corresponding isocyanates or 4-nitrophenyl carbamate following method D of General Schemes for Preparation of Target Compounds.

Example VI Preparation of Intermediates of Formula 4021.01, 4026.01, 4069.01 and 4098.01

R=(L)-Valine, (L)-tert-Leucine, (L)-Cyclhohexylglycine

Isocyanates of type 4021.01, 4026.01, 4069.01 and 4098.01 were prepared according the procedure outlined in preparative example I by replacing in step1 the Phenylmagnesium bromide by the known lithio-furan, thiazole, thiophene and oxazole that were reacted with the corresponding (L)-Valine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Homovaline N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-tert-Leucine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Cyclohexylglycine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide.

HCV inhibitors 4021, 4024, 4026, 4034, 4069, 4073, 4077, 4098, 4106, 4117, 4148, 4158, 4159, 4171, 4174, 4181, 4185, 4189, 4191, 4208 and 4209 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediates of formula 4021.01, 4026.01, 4069.01 and 4098.01 according to the general procedures described before.

Scheme VII Preparation of Compound of Formula 4019.01, 4013.01, 4037.01, 4057.01, 4060.01 and 4048.01

To a −10° C. solution of BocCyclohexylGlycine (10 g, 36 mmol) in DCM (130 mL) was added N,O-Dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (3.7 g, 37.8 mmol), NMM (4.2 is mL, 37.8 mmol) and EDCl (7.3 g, 37.8 mmol) portionwise in 15 minutes. The reaction was stirred at this temperature for 1 h then HCl (1N, 55 mL) was added. Reaction was extracted with DCM (2 times 50 mL) and combined organic layers was washed with NaHCO3sat then brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated to dryness to provide 4019.02 as a viscous oil (10.8 g).

Step2:

To 4019.02 (1.1 g, 3.66 mmol) in Ether (40 mL) was added Cyclopropylmagnesium Bromide (22 mL, 3 equiv, 0.5M in THF) at 0° C. The reaction was warmed up to RT after 5 min was stirred at RT for when the reaction was quenched by the addition of 1N HCl. Reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO4 filtered and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by HPFC Biotage 25+S, 3% (EtOAc) to 13% EtOAc in Hexane to get 4019.03 (0.676 g, 66% yield).

Step3:

Isocyanate 4019.01 was prepared following steps 2 and 3 of preparative example I. lsocyanates of Formula 4013.01, 4037.01, 4057.01, 4060.01 and 4048.01 were prepared as described above by replacing in step2 (L)-Cyclohexylglycine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide by (L)-Valine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Homovaline N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-tert-Leucine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Cyclopentylglycine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide or (L)-Cyclobutylglycine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide,

HCV inhibitors 4013, 4016, 4018, 4019, 4023, 4032, 4033, 4037, 4039, 4040, 4048, 4057, 4060, 4066, 4074, 4084, 4086, 4091, 4092, 4093, 4099, 4103, 4105, 4111, 4114, 4123, 4129, 4131, 4132, 4133, 4135, 4138, 4139, 4144, 4149, 4150, 4155, 4156, 4161, 4164, 4167, 4169, 4173, 4186, 4187, 4192, 4193, 4195, 4197, 4200, 4204, 4206 and 4207 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediates of formula 4019.01, 4013.01, 4037.01, 4057.01, 4060.01 and 4048.01 according to the general procedures described before.

Example VIII Preparation of Intermediates of Formula 4036.01, 4043.01 and 4112.01

Isocyanates of Formula 4036.01, 4043.01 and 4112.01 were prepared according the procedure outlined in preparative example I with Phenylmagnesium bromide, tert-Butyl lithium and Cyclopropylmagnesium bromide by replacing in step1 the (L)-Valine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide by the prepared homo-spirocyclohexylglycine N,O-Dimethylhydroxyl amide 4036-02 prepared as follow:

Step1:

Ester 4036.05 was prepared according T. Suzuki, Chem.Pharm. Bull. 46(7) 1116-1124 (1998) from methylenecyclohexane 4036.03 (3.5 g, 36.4 mmol) and chlorosulfonyl isocyanate (1.03 equiv, 37.625 mmol, 3.3 mL) followed by treatment with sulfuric acid. 4.7 g of colorless oil 4036.04 were obtained. Step2:

To a RT solution of 4036.05 (1 g, 3.71 mmol) in dioxane (10 mL) was added (Boc)2O (1.1 equiv, 4 mmol, 0.9 g) then NaHCO3sat followed by K2CO3 to reach Ph=9. After 18 h, reaction was extracted with Et2O. Organic layer was washed with successively with citric acid (10% w/w) and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. to provide 1 g of 4036.06. Step3:

To a RT solution of 4036.06 (5 g, 18.4 mmol) in Dioxane (30 mL) was added 30 mL (1.5 equiv) of 1.0 LiOH. After 5 h, reaction was diluted with Et2O and extracted. H2O layer was acidified to Ph=1.5 with 1 N HCl and extracted wit EtOAC. Organic layer was washed with brine and dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo to provide 4.75 g of 4036.07. Step4:

To a 0° C. solution of 4036.07 (12.6 mmol, 3.25 g) in DCM 35 mL was added HCl. HN(OMe)Me (1.05 equiv, 13.23 mmol, 1.27 g) and NMM (1.05 equiv, 13.23 mmol, 1.5 mL). EDCl was added portionwise (1.05 equiv, 13.23 mmol, 2.54 g) over 10 min. When reaction completed, HCl 1.5 N was added (50 mL) and reaction was extracted with EtOAc, washed with Brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo to yield: 3.5 g of 4036.02.

HCV inhibitors 4036, 4043, 4061, 4067, 4080, 4112 and 4115 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediates of formula 4036.01, 4043.01 and 4112.01 according to the general procedures described before.

Example IX Preparation of compound of Formula 4025

To amide 4019.02 (0.8 g, 2.66 mmol) in ether (50 mL) was added isopropenylmagnesium Bromide (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., USA 19 mL, 9.5 mmol, 3.6 equiv) at 0° C. The reaction was warmed up to RT after 5 min and stirred at RT for 3 hrs then quenched by the addition of 1N HCl. reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO4 filtered and concentrated down. The residue was purified it by HPFC with 10% EtOAc in hexane to get 0.304 g of product 4025.01 (Yield=40.6%). Trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (237 mg, 1.08 mmol) was added in one portion to a suspension of NaH i(43 mg, 1.08 mmol, 60% in oil) in DMF at RT and stirred for 30 min under N2. The reaction mixture was cooled to −30° C. A solution of ketone 4025.01 (304 mg, 1.08 mmol) in 1 mL DMF was added dropwise to the mixture and stirred at −30° C.˜0° C. for 2 hrs then 3 mL of H2O was added dropwise at −20° C. to the reaction mixture. Reaction was diluted with EtOAc. and organic layer was washed with aq. NH4Cl, H2O and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated down. The residue was purified it by HPFC with 0˜1% EtOAC in CH2Cl2 to give 176 mg of ketone 4025 (Yield=54%). Optical Rotation: [alpha]=+87.12 (c=7.5 mg/2 mL, 20° C., CHCl3). Isocyanate 4025.03 was prepared according the procedure described in step3 of Preparative Example VII (scheme VII). HCV inhibitors 4025, 4053 and 4127 described in Table 1 were prepared using intermediate of formula 4025.03 according to the general procedures described before.

Example X Preparation of Compound of Formula 4179

HCV inhibitors 4179 described in Table 1 was prepared according the Scheme X above using intermediate of formula 4179.01 prepared according the procedure describe below. Step1:

To a mixture of (S)-hydroxyisovaleric acid (4.4 g, 37 mmol), dimethylamine hydrochloride (3.0 g, 37 mmol), and 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole (5 g, 37 mmol) in THF (20 mL) was added diisopropylethylamine (6.4 mL, 37 mmol) dropwise at −20 C then dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (8 g, 39 mmol) was added at once, and the mixture was stirred at RT overnight. After 18 hours, the formed precipitate was filtered off and washed with EtOAc. the combined filtrates were concentrated in vacuo and residue was purified by biotage 75+S column (35% EtOAc/Hex). to yield 5.3 g of amide 4179.03. Step2:

To 4179.03 (1.5 g, 10 mmol) in dry THF (30 mL) was added phenylmagnesium bromide (10 mL, 3.0M in Ether) at 0 C. The reaction was warmed up to RT gradually. and stirred at RT overnight then was quenched by the addition of 1 N HCl, diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine. The organic layer was dried over MgSO4. purified by HPFC biotage 25+M with 15-25% EtOAc in Hex. to yield 1.6 g of 4179.04. Step3:

To chloroformate 4179.05 in CH2Cl2 at 0 C was added dropwise a solution of 4179.04 (0.8 g, 4.5 mmol) and pyridine (0.5 mL). The reaction was warmed up to 40 C with hot water and stirred for 1.5 hr then diluted with EtOAc, washed with sat. NaHCO3, CuSO4, and brine. dried over MgSO4, filtered, concentrated and purified by column biotage 25+S (40-60% EtOAc/Hex.) to yield 580 mg of 4179.01.

All other HCV inhibitors reported in Table 1 can be prepared according procedures described above in examples I to VIII.

TABLE 1 KETONES Cmpd Ki* # Table 1: Ketones MW Range 4010

610 A 4011

624 A 4012

640 A 4013

588 A 4016

574 A 4017

625 A 4018

615 A 4019

628 A 4020

626 A 4021

617 A 4022

611 A 4023

614 A 4024

658 A 4025

628 A 4026

616 A 4027

624 A 4028

636 A 4029

653 A 4030

631 A 4031

651 A 4032

652 A 4033

656 A 4034

695 A 4035

650 A 4036

650 A 4037

588 A 4038

626 A 4039

642 A 4040

640 A 4041

689 A 4042

688 A 4043

630 A 4044

624 A 4045

640 A 4046

622 A 4047

616 A 4048

586 A 4051

664 A 4052

624 A 4053

692 A 4054

576 A 4055

636 A 4056

590 A 4057

588 A 4058

588 A 4059

599 A 4060

600 A 4061

644 A 4062

648 A 4063

616 A 4064

628 A 4065

651 A 4066

654 A 4067

668 A 4068

638 A 4069

600 A 4070

548 A 4071

656 A 4072

641 A 4073

657 A 4074

588 A 4075

644 A 4076

638 A 4077

631 A 4078

611 A 4079

638 A 4080

658 A 4081

588 A 4082

624 A 4083

668 A 4084

634 A 4085

630 A 4086

682 A 4087

631 A 4088

668 A 4089

588 A 4090

693 A 4091

602 A 4092

674 A 4093

656 A 4094

640 A 4095

611 A 4096

625 A 4097

652 A 4098

601 A 4099

670 A 4100

690 A 4101

639 A 4102

638 A 4103

602 A 4104

716 A 4105

643 A 4106

644 A 4108

590 A 4109

652 A 4110

650 A 4111

654 A 4112

614 A 4113

625 A 4114

588 A 4115

670 A 4117

645 A 4118

604 A 4119

598 A 4120

646 A 4121

716 A 4122

681 A 4123

662 A 4124

616 A 4125

644 A 4126

664 A 4127

642 A 4128

688 A 4129

696 A 4130

678 A 4131

616 A 4132

702 A 4133

658 A 4134

669 A 4135

614 A 4136

653 A 4137

618 A 4138

616 A 4139

656 A 4140

721 A 4141

652 A 4143

604 A 4144

722 A 4145

659 A 4146

616 A 4148

631 A 4149

616 A 4150

630 A 4151

668 A 4152

624 A 4153

650 A 4154

624 A 4155

684 A 4156

588 A 4157

667 A 4158

685 A 4159

644 A 4160

702 A 4161

644 A 4162

632 A 4163

637 A 4164

660 A 4165

662 A 4166

546 A 4167

602 A 4168

639 A 4169

682 A 4170

639 A 4171

699 A 4172

625 A 4173

628 B 4174

673 B 4175

653 B 4176

646 B 4177

706 B 4178

650 B 4179

611 B 4180

618 B 4181

631 B 4182

622 B 4183

636 B 4184

610 B 4185

687 B 4186

604 B 4187

576 B 4188

578 B 4189

642 B 4190

637 B 4191

659 B 4192

590 B 4193

632 B 4194

622 B 4195

642 B 4196

604 B 4197

658 B 4198

646 B 4199

657 B 4200

698 B 4201

662 B 4203

660 C 4204

620 C 4205

665 C 4206

724 C 4207

684 C 4208

701 C 4209

647 C

PREPARATION OF SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM TABLE 2 Example XI Preparation of Compound of Formula 4289 and 4294

Step1: To a RT solution of Ketone 4010.01 prepared in step 1 of preparative example III (2 mmol, 554 mg) in Pyridine (10 mL) was added O-methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (2 equiv, 4 mmol, 334 mg). The resulting mixture was heated to 50° C. for 18 hr. After 18 h, TLC showed no starting material and a slightly less polar product and the reaction was concentrated under vacuo to remove pyridine. The resulting white slurry was dissolved in DCM and washed with HCl 1.0 N (10 mL). DCM layer was then washed with aqueous CuSO4sat and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by HPFC Biotage 25+M. HPFC, 3% (EtOAc) to 12% (EtOAc) in Hexane, Purification provided 2 isomers 4289.01 and 4294.01 in a 80/20 E/Z ratio. Step2 To 4294.01(60 mg) in CH2Cl2 (3 mL) under N2 was added TFA (1 mL) at RT. The reaction was stirred at RT for 20 min and was concentrated to dryness and placed under high vacuum overnight. 40 mg of product 4294.02 was obtained. Identical procedure was applied to the other isomer 4289.01 to produce amine salt 4289.02. Step3: HCV inhibitors 4294 and 4289 in table 2 were prepared using amine salts 4294.02 and 4289.02 and corresponding isocyanates or 4-nitrophenyl carbamate following method D of General Schemes for Preparation of Target Compounds.

Example XII Preparation of Compound of Formula 4291.02, 4297.02 and 4290.02

Amines salts of Formula 4291.02, 4297.02 and 4290.02 were prepared according step 1 and 2 of preparative example XI by replacing O-methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride by methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride and ketone 4010.01 by the corresponding (L) Cyclohexylglycine ketone 4019.03 of preparative example VII and the corresponding (L) Valine ketone. HCV inhibitors 4290, 4291, 4292, 4293, 4295, 4297 and 4298 in table 2 were prepared using amine salts 4291.02, 4297.02 and 4290.02 and the corresponding isocyanates or 4-nitrophenyl carbamate following method D of General Schemes for Preparation of Target Compounds:

TABLE 2 Oximes Cmpd Ki* # MW Range 4289

639 A 4290

629 A 4291

589 B 4292

629 B 4293

603 B 4294

639 B 4295

603 B 4296

667 B 4297

643 B 4298

643 B

PREPARATION OF SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM TABLE 3 Example XIII Preparation of Compound of Formula 4488

Step 1:

To a RT solution of Boc-1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid 4488.01 (3 g, 13.38 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (30 mL) was added Benzyl alcohol (3 equiv, 4 mL), DMAP (1.01 equiv, 1.65 g) and DCC (1.0 M solution in DCM, 1.01 equiv, 13.5 mL). The reaction was stirred at RT for 48 h. The insoluble material was removed by filtration and crude was concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by flash chromatography (5% to 10% EtOAc in Hexanes, Biotage 40M). Purification furnished 4488.02 (3.64 g). (M+H)=334. Step2:

To a RT solution of 4488.02 (3.6 g, 10.8 mmol) was added 100 mL of a 4.0 N HCl solution in Dioxane. Reaction was stirred at RT for 1 h then 18 h to observe completion. After 18 h, reaction was diluted with Heptanes and Et2O and the precipitate was filtered off and rinsed with Et2O and dried under a N2 flow. Reaction yielded 2.6 g of 4488.03 as a white powder. Step3:

To a 0° C. solution of 4488.03 (2.5 mmol, 666 mg) in CH2Cl2 (25 ml) and NaHCO3sat (20 mL) was added Phosgene (2 equiv, 20% in PhMe, 2.5 mL). The reaction was warmed-up to RT and stirred for 2 hours. The organic phase was separated and was then dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and concentrated to half volume under vacuum with cooling bath. The solution was then diluted to 25 mL and used as a 0.1 M solution of 4488.04. Step4:

To a 0° C. solution of amine 4488.05 prepared following general method C (60 mg, 0.135 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (5 ml) was added DIPEA (8 equiv., 1.08 mmol, 0.2 mL) and isocyanate 4488.04 (3 equiv., 0.406 mmol, 4 mL). The reaction was warmed-up to RT and stirred for 2 hours. Reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed successively with citric acid (10% w/w) and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative plate using 40% Acetone in Hexane as eluant. Purification furnished 32 mg of product HCV inhibitor 4488. (M+H)=667.

Example XIV Preparation of Compound of Formula 4303

All tert-Butyl esters included in Table 3 were prepared according the following procedure. Commercially available amino tert-Butyl ester hydrochloride like (but mot limited to) (L)-cyclohexylglycine, (L)-Valine, (L)-tert-Leucine tert-Butyl ester hydrochloride were reacted with phosgene as outlined in step 3 of preparative example XIII to produce the corresponding isocyanate (4303.01 was prepared from commercially available (L)-Valine tert-Butyl ester hydrochloride). Isocyanates were reacted with various amines like 4303.01 prepared following general method C to produce HCV inhibitors like 4303 listed in Table 3. All other HCV inhibitors listed in Table 3 were prepared according procedure described in Preparative Example XIII by replacing in step 1 benzyl alcohol with other commercially available alcohols (primary, secondary and tertiary) and Boc-1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid 4488.01 with other commercially amino acid like (but mot limited to) (L)-cyclohexylglycine, (L)-Valine or (L)-tert-Leucine.

TABLE 3 Esters Cmpd Ki* # MW Range 4300

684 A 4301

644 A 4302

646 A 4303

606 A 4304

670 A 4305

644 A 4306

618 A 4307

606 A 4308

618 A 4309

634 A 4310

672 A 4311

658 A 4312

660 A 4313

660 A 4314

666 A 4315

654 A 4316

632 A 4317

646 A 4318

680 A 4319

630 A 4320

658 A 4321

638 A 4322

644 A 4323

616 A 4324

675 A 4325

646 A 4326

658 A 4327

592 A 4328

652 A 4329

604 A 4330

660 A 4331

660 A 4332

618 A 4333

630 A 4334

668 A 4335

661 A 4336

620 A 4337

640 A 4338

668 A 4339

646 A 4340

618 A 4341

692 A 4342

632 A 4343

604 A 4344

660 A 4345

721 A 4346

602 A 4347

670 A 4348

684 A 4349

670 A 4350

666 A 4351

672 A 4352

680 A 4353

720 A 4354

707 A 4355

694 A 4356

680 A 4357

687 A 4358

604 A 4359

632 A 4360

632 A 4361

642 A 4362

723 A 4363

706 A 4364

680 A 4365

687 A 4366

590 A 4367

588 A 4368

634 A 4369

668 A 4370

674 A 4371

658 A 4372

632 A 4373

648 A 4374

694 A 4375

661 A 4376

660 A 4377

592 A 4378

720 A 4379

658 A 4380

632 A 4381

686 A 4382

684 A 4383

648 A 4384

632 A 4385

682 A 4386

668 A 4387

618 A 4388

620 A 4389

634 A 4390

709 A 4391

735 A 4392

640 A 4393

721 A 4394

701 A 4395

668 A 4396

592 A 4397

658 A 4398

608 A 4399

708 A 4400

680 A 4401

706 A 4402

674 A 4403

672 A 4404

662 A 4405

656 A 4406

686 A 4407

660 A 4408

634 A 4409

632 A 4410

590 A 4411

654 A 4412

606 A 4413

658 A 4414

620 A 4415

662 A 4416

648 A 4417

694 A 4418

666 A 4419

660 A 4420

680 A 4421

658 A 4422

646 A 4423

618 A 4424

618 A 4425

682 A 4426

672 A 4427

712 A 4428

646 A 4429

647 A 4430

656 A 4431

702 A 4432

736 A 4433

656 A 4434

676 A 4435

704 A 4436

709 A 4437

633 A 4438

648 A 4439

682 A 4440

686 A 4441

632 A 4442

646 A 4443

698 A 4444

648 A 4445

672 A 4446

700 A 4447

630 A 4448

656 A 4449

721 A 4450

674 A 4451

680 A 4452

696 A 4453

680 A 4454

668 A 4455

708 A 4456

688 A 4457

674 A 4458

688 A 4459

646 A 4460

686 A 4461

700 A 4462

686 A 4463

618 A 4464

654 A 4465

684 A 4466

632 A 4467

646 A 4468

646 A 4469

616 A 4470

678 A 4471

654 A 4472

690 A 4473

730 A 4474

618 A 4475

660 A 4476

670 A 4477

678 A 4478

660 A 4479

688 A 4480

708 A 4481

644 A 4482

710 A 4483

662 A 4484

768 A 4485

676 A 4486

732 A 4487

734 A 4488

666 A 4489

634 A 4490

680 A 4491

668 A 4492

702 A 4493

726 A 4494

698 A 4495

690 A 4496

688 A 4497

652 A 4498

748 A 4499

654 A 4500

654 A 4501

616 A 4502

692 A 4503

682 A 4504

746 A 4505

658 A 4506

632 A 4507

670 A 4508

646 A 4509

672 A 4510

684 A 4511

704 A 4512

702 A 4513

630 A 4514

694 A 4515

769 A 4516

626 A 4517

631 A 4518

695 A 4519

694 A 4520

684 A 4522

666 A 4523

766 A 4524

660 A 4525

646 A 4526

686 A 4527

721 A 4528

656 A 4529

707 A 4530

735 A 4531

646 A 4532

646 A 4533

618 A 4534

626 A 4535

708 A 4536

680 A 4537

701 A 4538

721 A 4539

692 B 4540

680 B 4541

692 B 4542

654 B 4543

614 B 4544

680 B 4545

640 B 4546

708 B 4547

706 B 4548

780 B 4549

794 B 4550

722 B 4551

646 B 4552

734 B 4553

668 B 4554

700 B 4555

654 B 4556

706 B 4557

734 B 4558

688 B 4559

634 B 4560

660 B 4561

675 B 4562

668 B 4563

683 B 4564

654 B 4565

605 B 4566

614 B 4567

690 B 4568

680 B 4569

701 B 4570

684 B 4571

635 B 4572

628 B 4573

682 B 4574

724 B 4575

710 B 4576

682 B 4577

690 B 4578

646 B 4579

710 B 4580

660 B 4581

657 B 4582

702 B 4583

682 B 4584

682 B 4585

714 B 4586

722 B 4587

634 B 4588

640 B 4589

680 B 4590

718 B 4591

726 B 4592

654 B 4593

694 B 4594

617 B 4595

790 B 4596

766 B 4597

710 B 4598

688 B 4599

652 B 4600

660 B 4601

668 B 4602

624 B 4603

640 B 4604

674 B 4605

707 B 4606

659 B 4607

674 B 4608

710 B 4609

660 B 4610

697 B 4611

694 B 4612

702 B 4613

674 B 4614

708 B 4615

692 B 4616

674 B 4617

634 B 4618

660 B 4619

662 B 4620

670 B 4621

704 B 4622

668 B 4623

682 B 4624

631 B 4625

680 B 4626

668 B 4627

680 B 4628

722 B 4629

658 B 4630

709 C 4631

718 C 4632

666 C 4633

654 C 4634

654 C 4635

710 C 4636

724 C 4637

690 C 4638

660 C 4639

648 C 4640

707 C 4641

666 C 4642

668 C 4643

722 C 4644

591 C 4645

730 C 4646

648 C 4647

660 C 4648

646 C 4649

672 C 4650

648 C 4651

756 C 4652

800 C 4653

576 C 4654

714 C 4655

682 C 4657

680 C 4658

668 C 4659

824 C 4660

648 C 4661

742 C 4662

662 C 4663

694 C 4665

782 C 4666

626 C

PREPARATION OF SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM TABLE 4 Example XV Preparation of Compound of Formula 4700

To a solution of ester 4488 of table 3 (28 mg, 0.042 mmol) in ethanol (5 ml) was added 10% Pd/C catalyst (20% w/w, 6 mg). The resulting suspension was hydrogenated until thin layer chromatography indicated complete consumption of the starting material (˜3 hrs). The catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite and washed with EtOAc. The combined filtrate and washings were evaporated under vacuum to dryness to provide the desired product 4700 (25 mg). (M+H)=576.

Example XVI Preparation of Compound of Formula 4703

To ester 4309 of table 3 (70 mg) was 5 mL of HCOOH (98%). The reaction was stirred at RT until thin layer chromatography indicated complete consumption of the starting material (˜2 hrs). The volatiles were evaporated under vacuum to dryness to provide the desired product 4703 (62 mg). (M+H)=578. All other HCV inhibitors of Table 4 were prepared according procedure described in preparative examples XV and XVI above.

TABLE 4 Carboxylic Acids Cmpd Ki* # MW Range 4700

576 A 4701

632 A 4702

619 A 4703

577 A 4704

624 A 4705

679 A 4706

638 A 4707

602 A 4708

564 A 4709

636 A 4710

590 A 4711

590 A 4712

588 A 4713

562 A 4714

606 A 4715

668 A 4716

578 A 4717

598 A 4718

564 A 4719

578 A 4720

654 A 4721

558 A 4722

668 A 4723

578 B 4724

534 B 4725

536 B 4726

572 B 4727

564 B 4728

604 B 4729

564 B 4730

548 C

PREPARATION OF SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM TABLE 5 Example XVII Preparation of Compound of Formula 4888

To a RT solution of 4700 (Table 4) of preparative example XV (0.02 g, 0.035 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (2 mL) was added Benzylamine. HCl (1.2 equiv, 0.042 mmol, 6 mg), HATU (1.2 equiv, 0.042 mmol, 16 mg) then DIPEA (5 equiv, 0.175 mmol, 0.031 mL). The reaction was stirred RT for 2 hours then was diluted with EtOAc and washed successively with citric acid (10% w/w), NaHCO3 and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by preparative plate using 40% Acetone in Hexane as eluant. 4 mg of desired product 4888 were obtained. (M+H)=665. HCV inhibitors 4801 to 4917 of Table 5 have been prepared using the procedure described in example XVII.

Example XVIII Preparation of Compound of Formula 4800

Part I: Preparation of Intermediate of Formula 4800.05

To a −20° C. solution of Boc-L-Valine 4800.01 (1.1 g, 5 mmol) in DCM (20 mL) was added HATU (1.2 equiv, 6 mmol, 2.3 g), DIPEA (5 equiv, 25 mmol, 4.4 mL) then Benzene sulfonamide (1.1 equiv, 5.5 mmol, 0.86 g). Reaction was stirred at this temp for 48 h. The reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed successively with citric acid (10% w/w), NaHCO3 and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. Recrystallization occurred with a mixture on DCM and MeOH. 600 mg of white crystals (4800.02) were obtained with 1.5 g of oily residue. The 600 mg were used in the next step. 4.0 N HCl Dioxane (25 mL) was added to 4800.02 (600 mg). Reaction was stirred at RT until no starting material was detected by TLC (2 h). Then, Et2O was added and the resulting white powder was filtered off and dried under a N2 flow to yield=0.46 g (1.57 mmol) of 4800.03. To a 0° C. solution of isocyanate 4800.04 (prepared as described in step 3 of preparative example XIII by replacing Boc-1-amino-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid 4488.01 of step 1 by Boc-L-Tert-Leucine, 0.7 mmol, 3.5 mL) in CH2Cl2 (2 ml) was added 4800.03 (180 mg, 0.61 mmol) then DIPEA (1.1 equiv., 0.7 mmol, 0.122 mL). The reaction was warmed-up to RT and stirred over the week-end. After 48 h, reaction was concentrated to dryness and the oily residue was purified by HPFC Biotage 25+S, 50% to 100% EtOAc in Hexane. Purification provided 110 mg of 4800.05. To a solution of 4800.05 (0.11 g, 0.219 mmol) in EtOAc (5 ml) was added 10% Pd/C catalyst (15% w/w, 16 mg). The resulting suspension was hydrogenated until thin layer chromatography indicated complete consumption of the starting material (˜3 hrs). The catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite and washed with EtOAc. The combined filtrate and washings were evaporated under vacuum to dryness to provide the desired product 4800.06 (85 mg). Part II: Preparation of Intermediate of Formula 4800.08

To a −20° C. solution of acid 4800.07 (prepared following the method of R. Zhang and J. S. Madalengoitia (J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 330), 5.1 g, 20 mmol) in DCM (200 mL) was added HATU (1.05 equiv, 21 mmol, 8 g), amine salt 12.03 (prepared as described in Preparation of intermediates, preparation of P1-P′ moieties, 1.0 equiv, 20 mmol, 3.893 g). After 10 min at −20° C., DIPEA (5 equiv, 100 mmol, 17.4 mL) was added, and reaction was stirred at this temp for 16 hrs then the reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed successively with NaHCO3, citric acid (10% w/w) and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. Purification Biotage 75+M (3.5 l of 1/1 Hex/EtOAC) then 100% EtOAc. provided 12 g of a light brown oil that was used directly in the following step. To a RT solution of this crude oil (12 g) was added 100 mL of a 4.0 N HCl solution in Dioxane. Reaction was stirred at RT for 1 h to observe completion then diluted with Heptanes and concentrated to dryness under vacuo to furnish 10.4 g of dark brown oil 4800.08 that was used directly for the preparation of compound of formula 4800.09. Part III: Preparation of Compound of Formula 4800:

To a −20° C. solution of 4800.06 (85 mg, 0.2 mmol) in DCM (50 mL) was added HATU (1.2 equiv, 0.24 mmol, 92 mg), crude amine salt 4800.08 (1.2 equiv, 0.24 mmol, 80 mg). After 10 min at −20° C., DIPEA (5 equiv, 1 mmol, 0.22 mL) was added. Reaction was stirred at this temperature for 18 h then reaction was diluted with EtOAc and washed successively with citric acid (10% w/w) and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. 250 mg of crude 4800.09 were obtained. (M+H)=691.

To a 0° C. solution of crude 4800.09 (0.25 g, 0.2 mmol) in DMSO/PhMe (12 mL) was added EDCl (10 equiv, 1 mmol, 400 mg) and Dichloroacetic acid (5 equiv, 1 mmol, 0.08 mL). The reaction was warmed-up to RT gradually and stirred at this temperature. After 4 h, reaction was diluted with water and the 2 phases were separated. Organic layer was washed with sat. Na2S2O3 (2 TIMES), NaHCO3 and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by HPFC Biotage 12 S, 2% to 6% MeOH in DCM. Purification furnished 35 mg of compound of formula 4800.

TABLE 5 Amides Cmpd Ki* # MW Range 4800

689 A 4801

693 A 4802

694 A 4803

605 A 4804

619 A 4805

667 A 4806

605 A 4807

631 A 4808

645 A 4809

679 A 4810

591 A 4811

631 A 4812

617 A 4813

679 A 4814

695 A 4815

696 A 4816

712 A 4817

591 A 4818

633 A 4819

631 A 4820

681 A 4821

681 A 4822

712 A 4823

605 A 4824

577 A 4825

563 A 4826

631 A 4827

633 A 4828

577 A 4829

631 A 4830

645 A 4831

617 A 4832

674 A 4833

781 A 4834

706 A 4835

619 A 4836

631 A 4837

619 A 4838

659 A 4839

617 A 4840

617 A 4842

633 A 4843

728 A 4844

665 A 4845

632 A 4846

617 A 4847

603 A 4848

617 A 4849

619 A 4850

633 A 4851

617 A 4852

633 A 4853

603 A 4854

631 A 4855

765 A 4856

619 A 4857

591 A 4858

605 A 4859

617 A 4860

665 A 4861

603 A 4862

734 A 4863

653 A 4864

647 A 4865

671 A 4866

699 A 4867

659 A 4868

687 A 4869

603 A 4871

738 A 4872

591 A 4873

647 A 4874

671 A 4875

645 A 4876

619 A 4877

695 A 4878

687 A 4879

673 A 4880

659 A 4881

647 A 4882

667 A 4883

695 A 4884

661 A 4885

646 A 4886

679 A 4887

733 A 4888

665 A 4889

699 A 4890

659 A 4891

655 A 4892

677 A 4893

750 A 4894

655 A 4895

615 A 4896

631 A 4897

629 A 4898

659 A 4899

645 A 4900

731 A 4901

685 A 4902

645 A 4903

613 A 4904

754 B 4905

661 B 4906

535 B 4907

705 B 4908

679 B 4909

721 B 4910

715 B 4911

645 B 4912

679 B 4913

563 B 4914

693 C 4915

734 C 4916

603 C 4917

719 C

Example XIX Preparation of General Intermediates of Tables 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3

Part I: Preparation of Intermediate of Table 6.1

(Heterocyclyl)Methyl Chlorides

5-(Dimethylaminomethyl)furfuryl chloride was prepared from commercially available 5-(dimethylaminomethyl)furfuryl alcohol (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., USA) as reported (II Farmaco, Ed. Sci., 1982, 37, 398).

2-, 3-, And 4-picolyl chlorides were prepared from the commercially available hydrochloride salts (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., USA) by partitioning them with cold 2.5 N NaOH and ether, drying the ether extract with MgSO₄, and concentrating the solution in a 15° C. water bath, all immediately before use.

2-Chloromethylfuran was prepared from SOCl₂ in Et₂O as reported (JACS, (1928), 50, 1955). 3-chloromethylfuran was prepared similarly, except a solution of alcohol and pyridine was added to a solution of SOCl₂ to prevent excessive formation of sulfonate diester. In both cases distillation was necessary to effect rearrangement of the initial chlorosulfonate isolate. Both distilled halides were immediately stored in ether (˜1 M) with a little solid K₂CO₃ at −20° C. These solutions were stable for at least 24 hours.

2- And 3-chloromethythiophene were prepared using the same procedures as for 2- and 3-chloromethylfuran, except distillation was not necessary, since the chlorosulfonates transformed spontaneously under the reaction conditions. The dried extract solutions were rapidly suction-filtered through silica gel pads to effect sufficient purification. The filtrates were stored cold, and concentrated carefully immediately before use.

Methyl [2-(4-Pyridylmethyl)Cyclohexane]Carboxylate

A solution of 20 mL of 2 M LDA/THF-heptane (Acros Chemical Co.) in 50 mL of THF was cooled to −70° C., and 6 g of methyl cyclohexanecarboxylate 17018 was added drop wise at <−60° C. After an additional 0.5 hr stirring at −70° C., 5.1 g of 4-picolyl chloride in 40 mL ether was added drop wise at <−60° C. The temperature was then allowed to rise slowly to room temperature over 2 hr, and stirred an additional 2 hr. The reaction was quenched in a cold mixture of 200 mL 20% aqueous KH₂PO4 and 5 mL 12 N HCl, the mixture was extracted with EtOAc, the extract was washed with brine, and then dried with MgSO₄. The mixture was filtered, the filtrate was evaporated, the residue was evaporated twice from xylene, and the final residue was chromatographed on silica gel (1:4 Et₂O—CH₂Cl₂) to obtain 3.0 g of an amber oil 17020 (30%): H¹-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.46 (d, 2H, Δv=6.0), 6.98 (d, 2H, Δv=6.0), 3.62 (s, 3H), 2.79 (s, 2H), 2.05 (m, 2H), 1.7-1.2 (mm, 8H).

Methyl [2-(Heteroarylmethyl)Cyclohexane]Carboxylates

The procedure of the preceding example was applied to the aryl methyl chlorides to afford the corresponding substituted cyclohexanecarboxylates as summarized in the following Table 6.1.

TABLE 6.1 Product H¹-NMR Starting Chromatography (CDCL₃) δ (Δv in halide system Yield Product Hz)

17021 1:3 Et₂O—CH₂Cl₂to 1:1 acetone-CH₂Cl₂ 31

17028 8.45(d of d, 1H,Δv₁=4.8, Δv_(□)=1.8),7.35(d of t, 1H,Δv₁=7.8, Δv₂=1.8),7.18(d of d, 1H,Δv₁=7.8, Δv₂=4.8),3.62(s, 3H), 2.79(s, 2H), 2.1(m,2H), 1.7-1.2(mm,8H)

17022 1:3 Et₂O—CH₂Cl₂to 1:1 acetone-CH₂Cl₂ 58

17029 8.50(br d, 1H,Δv=4.5, 7.55(t+,1H, Δv₁=7.6,Δv₂=1.8), 7.10(d ofd+, Δv₁=7.6,Δv₂=4.5, Δv₃=nd),7.01(d, Δv=7.6),3.64(s, 3H), 2.98(s, 2H), 2.1(m,2H), 1.7-1.2(mm,8H)

17023 Rapid silica padfiltration in 1:1hexane-toluene 52

17030 7.28(br d, 1H,Δv=1.8, 6.26(d ofd, 1H, Δv₁=3.0,Δv₂=1.8), 5.97(d,1H, Δv=3.0), 3.66(s, 3H), 2.83(s,2H), 2.05(m, 2H),1.7-1.2(mm, 8H)

17024 Short column,EtOAc to acetoneNone: extracted atpH 5.0 aftersaturating aqueouswith NaCl 30

17031 6.05(d, 1H,Δv=3.0), 5.89(d,1H), 3.66(s, 3H),3.40(s, 2H), 2.81(s, 2H), 2.23(s,6H), 2.05(m, 2H),1.7-1.2(mm, 8H)

17025 Rapid silica padfiltration in 1:1hexane-toluene 81

17032 7.34(m, 1H), 7.18(br s, 1H), 6.17(brs, 1H), 3.65(s 3H),2.62(s, 2H), 2.1(m, 2H), 1.7-1.2(mm, 8H)

17026 4:96 Et₂O-hexane 75

17033 7.11(d+, 1H,Δv=5.1), 6.91(d ofd, 1H, Δ₁v=5.1,Δv₂=3.6), 6.72(d ofd, 1H, Δ₁v=3.6,Δv₂=0.9), 3.67(s3H), 3.04(s, 2H),2.1(m, 2H), 1.7-1.2(mm, 8H)

17027 3:97 Et₂O-hexane 53

17034 7.20(d of d, 1H,Δv₁=5.0, Δv₂=3.0),6.89(br s, 1H),6.80(d of d, 1H,Δv₁=5.0, Δv₂=1.5),3.63(s 3H), 2.83(s, 2H), 2.1(m, 2H),1.7-1.2(mm, 8H) Part II: Preparation of Intermediates of Table 6.2:

Preparative Example 17035 Preparation of Intermediate of Formula 17035 [2-(4-Pyridylmethyl)Cyclohexane]Carboxylic Acid

A solution of 3.4 g ester 17020 of the previous example in 20 mL of dioxane was treated with 30 mL of 1 N aqueous LiOH, and the mixture was stirred at 100° C. for 6 hr. The mixture was quenched in ice-water, extracted with ether, and the cold aqueous was slowly acidified to pH 4 with 3 N HCl. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water, and dried to leave 2.8 g (58%) product acid 17035: H¹-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 8.42 (d, 2H), 7.08 (d, 2H), 2.73 (s, 2H), 1.9-1.1 (mm, 10H). A portion was crystallized from EtOH: mp: 240-242° C.; elemental analysis confirmed: CHN. Same procedure was applied for the preparation of intermediates 17036 and 17037 of table 6.2.

[1-(Heteroarylmethyl)Cyclohexane]Carboxylic Acids

The procedure of the preceding example was applied to the esters (17038, 17039, 17040, 17041, 17042) from Table 6.2 except that the acidified aqueous extract (pH 3.5-4.0) was extracted with EtOAc, after saturating with NaCl in the case of the two pyridyl products 17036 and 17037. The extract was evaporated to leave the product acids. Portions were crystallized for analysis as summarized in the following Table 6.2.

TABLE 6.2 Product H¹-NMR crystal- Starting Yield (CDCL₃) lization mp ester Product % δ ((ppm); Δv in Hz solvent (° C.) Elemanal 17028

17036 31 8.42(br s, 2H), 7.57(d+,1H, Δv₁=7.5, Δv₂=1.8),7.27(d of d, 1H, Δv₁=7.5,Δv₂=2.7), 2.83(s, 2H),2.1(m, 2H), 1.7-1.2(mm, 8H) CH₃CCl₃-cyclohexane 155-7 CHN 17029

17037 58 8.62(d, 1H, Δv=5.1),7.70(t+, 1H, Δv₁=7.5,Δv₂=1.8), 7.22(m, 2H),3.10(s, 2H), 2.1(m, 2H),1.6-1.3(mm, 8H) EtOH-(i-Pr)₂O 137-8 CHN 17030

17038 52 7.29(br s, 1H), 6.27(dof d, 1H, Δv₁=3.0,Δv₂=1.8), 6.05(d, 1H,Δv=3.0), 2.90(s, 2H),2.0(m, 2H), 1.7-1.2(mm,8H) na oil CH 17031

17039 30 6.47(d, 1H, Δv=3.0),6.08(d, 1H, Δv=3.0),4.14(s, 2H), 2.84(s,2H), 2.77(S, 6H), 2.1(m, 2H), 1.7-1.1(mm,8H) CH₃CCl₃-cyclohexane 133-5 na 17032

17040 81 7.34(br s, 1H), 7.22(brs, 1H), 6.22(br s, 1H),2.67(s, 2H), 2.0(m, 2H),1.7-1.2(mm, 8H) na oil CH 17033

17041 75 7.14(d of d, 1H, Δv₁=5.2,Δv₂=1.0), 6.93(d of d,1H, Δv₁=5.2, Δv₂=3.6),6.80(d+, 1H, Δv₁=3.6,Δv₂=nod²), 3.08³(2H),2.1(m, 2H), 1.7-1.2(mm, 8H) cyclohexane-hexane/−10° C. 64-7¹ CH 17034

17042 53 7.22(d of d, 1H, Δv₁=5.0,Δv₂=2.5), 6.96(d+, 1H,Δv₁=2.5, Δv₂=nod), 6.89(d of d, 1H, Δv₁=5.0,Δv₂=1.2), 2.89(2H) cyclohexane 72-74 CH Note ¹lit. value = 71-73° C. (J. Chem. Res. Miniprint, 1981, 4, 1043-1056). Note ²nd = not determined; insufficient resolution. Note ³lit. value = δ 3.08(v.s.). Part III: Preparation of Intermediates of Table 6.3:

Preparative Example 17043 Preparation of Intermediate of Formula 17043 1-(4-Pyridylmethyl)Cyclohexyl Isocyanate

A mixture of 0.5 g of the carboxylic acid 17035 described above, 0.5 mL diphenylphosphoryl azide, and 25 mL toluene was heated at 110° C. for 0.75 hr. The cooled mixture was placed on a column of silica gel and rapidly eluted with EtOAc-hexane (2:3) to afford 0.39 g of the title compound as an oil, which was used soon after preparation. The product 17043 was stored in 1 M CH₂Cl₂ solution for brief periods. H¹-NMR (CDCL₃) δ 8.3 (br s, 2H), 7.17 (d, J=5.4, 2H), 2.78 (s, 2H), 1.8-1.1 (m, 10H).

General Example Table 6.3 1-(Heteroarylmethyl)Cyclohexyl Isocyanates

The procedure of the preceding example 17043 was applied to the acids of Table 6.2 to obtain the isocyanates 17048, 17049, 17050, 17051, 17052, 17053 and 17054 shown in Table 6.3.

TABLE 6.3 chroma- Starting Isocyanate Yield tography acid Product % solvent 17036

17048 75 EtOAc-hexane(2:3) 17037

17049 82 EtOAc-hexane(2:3) 17038

17050 68 Et₂O-hexane(1:9) 17039

17051 29 notchroma-tographed 17040

17052 21 Et₂O-hexane(1:9) 17041

17053 78 Et₂O-hexane(1:9) 17042

17054 74 Et₂O-hexane(1:9)

HCV inhibitors 4921, 4922, 4923, 4927, 4933, 4938, 4939, 4940, 4941, 4944, 4946, 4947, 4955, 4962, 4965, 4966 of Table 6 were prepared using isocyanates 17043, 17048, 17049, 17050, 17051, 17052, 17053 and 17054 shown in table 6.3 according the general procedure described before.

Example XX Preparation of General Intermediates 4948.01 Used in the Preparation of HCV Inhibitor 4948, 49494972, 4973 of Table 6 According the General Procedure Describe Before

Step 1

Step 1: Compound 4948.02 (2.5 g, 10 mmol) was taken in dioxane (30 mL). Lawesson's reagent (2.23 g, 5.5 mmol, STENCH) was added and the reaction mixture was heated at 60° C. for 2 hrs under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool to room temperature over 3.5 hr period, while stirring. The reaction mixture was then concentrated. Saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (50 mL) was added to the residue and extracted with chloroform (2×). The combined chloroform layer was concentrated to afford 2.8 g of 4948.03 which was used without any purification.

Step 2: Preparation of bromoacetaldehyde: Bromoacetaldehyde diethylacetal (2 mL) was added to concentrated HCl (2.4 mL) and heated at 60° C. for 30 min. This mixture was then cooled to 10° C. DMF (30 mL) was added followed by powdered molecular sieves (one spatula). The solution was decanted and used immediately as described below. A solution of bromoacetaldehyde in DMF prepared as above was added to 4948.03 (1.4 g, from Step 1) and heated at 60° C. for 5 hrs. At this time the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted with ethyl acetate (50 mL) and washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (100 mL). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous layer was further extracted with ethyl acetate (50 mL). The combined organic layer was washed with water (100 mL), brine (100 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography using 12/88 EtOAc/hexanes which afforded 964 mg of intermediate that was taken up in 33% hydrogen bromide in acetic acid (10 mL). This mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hr. Diethyl ether (100 mL) was added which resulted in a white precipitate. Filtration followed by washing with diethyl ether (2×) provided 4948.01 as a white solid in quantitative yield.

Example XXI Preparation of General Intermediates 4925.01 Used in the Preparation of HCV Inhibitor 4925, 4926, 4928, 4929, 4952, 4959, 4968 of Table 6 According the General Procedure Describe Before

Step 1

To a solution of methylcyclohexanecarboxylate 4925.03 (2.54 mL, 17.68 mmol) in THF (100 mL) at −78° C. was added LDA (2.0M in hexanes/THF/ethylbenzene, 17.68 mL, 35.36 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was maintained at that temperature for 30 min. Then a solution of the aldehyde 4925.02 (2.0 g, 17.68 mmol) in THF (10 mL) was added dropwise. The temperature was slowly brought to 10° C. over 1.5 hr. TLC indicated complete consumption of starting materials. The reaction was quenched with saturated ammonium chloride solution/brine (200 mL) and extracted with diethyl ether (2×). The combined ether layer was dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography using 23/77 EtOAc/hexanes afforded 2.72 g of the required material, 4925.04.

Step 2

To a solution of 4925.04 (1.02 g, 4.0 mmol) in THF (30 mL) was added thiocarbonyl diimidazole (1.78 g, 10.0 mmol). The mixture was refluxed under nitrogen atmosphere for 5 hrs. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted with diethyl ether, washed with saturated ammonium chloride solution, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography using 20/80 to 30/70 EtOAc/dichloromethane afforded 1.3 g of the required material, 4925.05.

Step 3

Compound 4925.05 (1.27 g, 3.48 mmol) was taken in toluene (40 mL). To this were added AIBN (2,2′-Azobisisobutyronitrile, 57 mg, 0.348 mmol) and TBTH (tri-n-butyl tin hydride, 1.87 mL, 6.96 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was refluxed overnight (16 hrs). At this time the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and quenched with aqueous 1N HCl (100 mL). It was then extracted with diethyl ether (100 mL). The organic layer was washed with 1N HCl (100 mL), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography using 8/92 EtOAc/dichloromethane afforded 400 mg of the required material, 4925.05.

Step 4

To a mixture of compound 4925.05 (478 mg, 2.0 mmol) in dioxane (5 mL) and water (5 mL) was added solid potassium hydroxide (336 mg, 6 mmol). The reaction mixture was heated at 80° C. for 2 hrs and 100° C. for 3 hrs. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, concentrated and quenched with aqueous 1N HCl. The aqueous layer was extracted with dichloromethane, dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated to afford 390 mg of the required material, 4925.06 LC-MS: 226 (M+H).

Step 5

The acid 4925.06 (390 mg, 1.73 mmol) was taken in toluene (10 mL). Triethylamine (0.27 mL, 1.9 mmol) and DPPA (Diphenylphosphoryl azide, 0.42 mL, 1.94 mmol) were then added. The reaction mixture was refluxed for 5 hrs and cooled to room temperature. This resulted in the formation of the isocyanate 4925.01 which was used further as a 0.173 M solution in toluene.

Example XXII Preparation of Isocyanate 4953.01 Used in the Preparation of HCV Inhibitor 4953 of Table 6

Step 1

PhMgBr (2.5 equiv, 40 mL) was added @ −78° C. to a Et2O (200 mL) solution of commercially available Weinreb amide (Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis., USA, 12 g, 46 mmol). After 2 h, reaction was quenched by addition of HCl 1.0 N, diluted with EtOAc and washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by HPFC Biotage 75+S, Seg1: 2% B to 2% B, Linear, 320 mL/Seg2: 2% B to 8% B, Linear, 3200 mL/Seg3: Hold 8% for 5CV(1600 mL). 3.76 g of 4953.02 were obtained. Step 2

To a 0° C. solution of 4953.02 (1.5 g, 5.4 mmol) in MeOH (100 mL) was added NaBH4 (5 equiv, 27 mmol, 1.02 g). Reaction was warmed-up to RT and stirred until thin layer chromatography indicated complete consumption of the starting material (˜0.5 hr). Reaction was stopped by addition of HCl 1.0 N and extracted with EtOAc. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. The residue was purified by HPFC Biotage 25+S, Seg1: 3% B, Linear, 120 mL/Seg2: 3% B to 12% B, Linear, 1200 mL/Seg3: Hold10% for 240 mL. Purification furnished 1.35 g of 4953.03. Step 3

To a solution of N2 flushed solution of 4953.03 (1.35 g, 4.8 mmol) in MeOH (50 ml) was added 10% Pd/C catalyst (0.5 g). The resulting suspension was hydrogenated for 18 h. The catalyst was removed by filtration through a pad of celite and washed with EtOAc. The combined filtrate and washings were evaporated under vacuum to dryness to provide after purification the desired product 4418 (85 mg) and recovered 4953.04. Step 4

4953.04 (28 mg, 0.10 mmol) was treated with 4.0 N HCl solution in Dioxane described previously to deliver quantitatively 4953.05.

Step5

4953.05 (28 mg, 0.10 mmol) was treated with phosgene as described previously to deliver 4953.01 that was used as described before to prepare HCV inhibitor 4953 of Table 6.

Example XXIII Preparation of Isocyanate 4950.01 Used in the Preparation of HCV Inhibitor 4950 of Table 6

Step 1

To a −25° C. solution of ketone 4953.02 prepared in step 1 of preparative example XXII (2.77 g, 10 mmol) in THF (50 mL) was added TMSCH₂MgCl (1.0M in Et2O, 2 equiv, 20 mmol, 20 mL). The temperature was slowly raised to 0° C. and stirred for 1 h, quenched with H2O (5 mL) and diluted with EtOAc. The reaction mixture was washed with NH4Cl sat and brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. To a 0° C. solution of the above crude in THF (50 mL) was added KHMDS (2.7 equiv, 0.5M in PhMe, mmol, 54 mL). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 h then RT for 3 hr then quenched with saturated NH4Cl and diluted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. purification via HPFC, 40+S, Seg1: Hold 2% B, Linear, 60 mL/Seg2: 2% B to 8% B, Linear, 600 mL/Seg3: Hold 8% B, Linear, 300 mL. 0.5 g of 4950.02 were isolated. Step 2

To a rt solution of 4950.02 (100 mg, 0.36 mmol) in DCM 3 mL was added 1 mL of TFA. Reaction turned yellow immediately. After 10 min, TLC showed no starting material and reaction was diluted with Hexanes and concentrated to dryness. The resulting yellow oil was placed under high vacuum overnight and analyzed by NMR. 109 mg of 4950.03 were obtained. Step 3

A DCM (5 mL) solution of TFA salt 4950.03 (109 mg, 0.36 mmol) was added to a 0° C. solution of saturated aqueous NaHCO3 (5 mL) and Phosgene (2 equiv, 0.72 mmol, 0.36 mL). Rapid stirring was set immediately and the ice-cooled reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at high speed. After 2 hours, the organic phase (lower) was separated and was then dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and concentrated to half volume under vacuum with cooling bath. Dilute to 3.6 mL (0.1 M solution in DCM of 4950.01) that was used as described before to prepare HCV inhibitor 4950 of Table 6.

Example XXIV Preparation of Isocyanate 4942.01 Used in the Preparation of HCV Inhibitor 4942 of Table 6

Step 1

To a 0° C. solution of DAST (2 equiv, 40 mL) in DCM (290 mL) was added a solution 4-cyclohexanone carboxylic Acid Ethyl Ester 4942.02 (25 g, 147 mmol) in DCM (100 mL) dropwise over 20 min. the mixture was allowed to stir at RT overnight. H2O (50 ml) was then added carefully (CAUTION: STRONG EXOTHERM). The mixture was basified to PH 5 (takes a great amount of time, watch out for violent acid-base reaction) with saturated NaHCO3. Finally, aqueous layer was removed by extraction and organic layer was washed with saturated NaHCO3 without any problem. Aqueous layer was back extracted with EtOAc and both combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4, filtered and the solvent removed by evaporation under reduced pressure to yield crude 4942.03 (29.33 g) as a dark red oil. Step 2

To a −78° C. solution of ethyl ester 4942.03 (20 mmol, 3.84 g) in THF (25 mL) was added 1.0 equiv of LDA (10 mL). Addition of LDA produced a light yellow color. After 15 min, Benzyl bromide (1.1 equiv, 22 mmol, 2.61 mL) was added dropwise. Reaction color turned gold immediately. Reaction was then gradually warmed-up to rt overnight. Reaction was stopped by addition of Sat. aqueous NH4Cl. Reaction was diluted with EtOAc and layers were separated. Washed with NaHCO3, then brine. Organic layer was dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. Purification via HPFC, 40+S, Seg1: Hold 5% B, Linear, 60 mL/Seg2: 5% B to 20% B, Linear, 600 mL/Seg3: Hold 20% B, Linear, 300 mL. 0.915 g of 4942.04 was isolated. Step 3

To a solution of 4942.04 (0.8 g, 2.8 mmol) in EtOH/H2O (36 mL/4 mL) was added KOH (10 equiv, 28 mmol, 1.57 g). The reaction was brought to reflux until completion. 48 h reflux was necessary to observe completion. Diluted with Et2O and basified to Ph=9 with saturated NaHCO3. Et2O layer was discarded to remove non carboxylic acid material. Aqueous layer was acidified to Ph=1 with HCl 1.0N and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO4, filtered and concentrated under vacuo. 535 mg of a light orange solid were isolated as 4942.05. Step 4

Acid 4942.05 (335 mg, 1.314 mmol) in Toluene (10 mL) was treated as described previously to afford isocyanate 4942.01 that was used as described before to prepare HCV inhibitor 4942 of Table 6.

Example XXV Preparation of Isocyanate 4954.01 Used in the Preparation of HCV Inhibitor 4954 of Table 6

To a solution of 50.2 mg of compound 4954.02 (Adam, Waldemar; Baeza, Jaime; Liu, Ju-Chao, Journal of the American Chemical Society (1972), 94(6), 2000-6) in toluene (4.0 mL) was added DPPA (0.06 mL) and Et₃N (0.037 mL). The reaction mixture was heated at 110° C. for 40 min, cooled and washed with Satd. NaHCO₃, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and concentrated to afford isocyanate 4954.01. The crude obtained was used without purification to prepare as described before HCV inhibitor 4954 of Table 6.

TABLE 6 cmpd Ki* # MW range 4921

623 A 4922

628 A 4923

628 A 4925

629 A 4926

643 A 4927

649 A 4928

670 A 4929

684 A 4930

660 A 4931

658 A 4933

649 A 4934

664 A 4935

690 A 4936

620 A 4937

664 A 4938

654 A 4939

637 A 4940

654 A 4941

649 A 4942

658 A 4943

652 A 4944

623 A 4945

652 A 4946

661 A 4947

665 A 4948

617 A 4949

603 A 4950

608 A 4951

640 A 4952

711 A 4953

596 A 4954

596 A 4955

649 A 4956

636 A 4957

648 A 4958

698 A 4959

657 A 4960

636 A 4962

625 B 4964

610 B 4965

621 B 4966

611 B 4967

834 B 4968

669 B 4969

638 B 4970

726 B 4971

690 B 4972

645 B 4973

631 B 4974

742 B 4975

679 B 4976

694 B 4977

754 B 4978

723 B 4979

665 B 4980

702 B 4981

652 B 4982

754 B 4983

788 B

The present invention relates to novel HCV protease inhibitors. This utility can be manifested in their ability to inhibit the HCV NS2/NS4a serine protease. A general procedure for such demonstration is illustrated by the following in vitro assay.

Assay for HCV Protease Inhibitory Activity:

Spectrophotometric Assay: Spectrophotometric assay for the HCV serine protease can be performed on the inventive compounds by following the procedure described by R. Zhang et al, Analytical Biochemistry, 270 (1999) 268-275, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The assay based on the proteolysis of chromogenic ester substrates is suitable for the continuous monitoring of HCV NS3 protease activity. The substrates are derived from the P side of the NS5A-NS5B junction sequence (Ac-DTEDVVX(Nva), where X=A or P) whose C-terminal carboxyl groups are esterified with one of four different chromophoric alcohols (3- or 4-nitrophenol, 7-hydroxy-4-methyl-coumarin, or 4-phenylazophenol). Illustrated below are the synthesis, characterization and application of these novel spectrophotometric ester substrates to high throughput screening and detailed kinetic evaluation of HCV NS3 protease inhibitors. Materials and Methods:

Materials: Chemical reagents for assay related buffers are obtained from Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo.). Reagents for peptide synthesis were from Aldrich Chemicals, Novabiochem (San Diego, Calif.), Applied Biosystems (Foster City, Calif.) and Perseptive Biosystems (Framingham, Mass.). Peptides are synthesized manually or on an automated ABI model 431A synthesizer (from Applied Biosystems). UVNIS Spectrometer model LAMBDA 12 was from Perkin Elmer (Norwalk, Conn.) and 96-well UV plates were obtained from Corning (Corning, N.Y.). The prewarming block can be from USA Scientific (Ocala, Fla.) and the 96-well plate vortexer is from Labline Instruments (Melrose Park, Ill.). A Spectramax Plus microtiter plate reader with monochrometer is obtained from Molecular Devices (Sunnyvale, Calif.).

Enzyme Preparation: Recombinant heterodimeric HCV NS3/NS4A protease (strain 1a) is prepared by using the procedures published previously (D. L. Sali et al, Biochemistry, 37 (1998) 3392-3401). Protein concentrations are determined by the Biorad dye method using recombinant HCV protease standards previously quantified by amino acid analysis. Prior to assay initiation, the enzyme storage buffer (50 mM sodium phosphate pH 8.0, 300 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, 0.05% lauryl maltoside and 10 mM DTT) is exchanged for the assay buffer (25 mM MOPS pH 6.5, 300 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, 0.05% lauryl maltoside, 5 μM EDTA and 5 μM DTT) utilizing a Biorad Bio-Spin P-6 prepacked column. Substrate Synthesis and Purification: The synthesis of the substrates is done as reported by R. Zhang et al, (ibid.) and is initiated by anchoring Fmoc-Nva-OH to 2-chlorotrityl chloride resin using a standard protocol (K. Barlos et al, Int. J. Pept. Protein Res., 37 (1991), 513-520). The peptides are subsequently assembled, using Fmoc chemistry, either manually or on an automatic ABI model 431 peptide synthesizer. The N-acetylated and fully protected peptide fragments are cleaved from the resin either by 10% acetic acid (HOAc) and 10% trifluoroethanol (TFE) in dichloromethane (DCM) for 30 min, or by 2% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in DCM for 10 min. The combined filtrate and DCM wash is evaporated azeotropically (or repeatedly extracted by aqueous Na₂CO₃ solution) to remove the acid used in cleavage. The DCM phase is dried over Na₂SO₄ and evaporated.

The ester substrates are assembled using standard acid-alcohol coupling procedures (K. Holmber et al, Acta Chem. Scand., B33 (1979) 410-412). Peptide fragments are dissolved in anhydrous pyridine (30-60 mg/ml) to which 10 molar equivalents of chromophore and a catalytic amount (0.1 eq.) of para-toluenesulfonic acid (pTSA) were added. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC, 3 eq.) is added to initiate the coupling reactions. Product formation is monitored by HPLC and can be found to be complete following 12-72 hour reaction at room temperature. Pyridine solvent is evaporated under vacuum and further removed by azeotropic evaporation with toluene. The peptide ester is deprotected with 95% TFA in DCM for two hours and extracted three times with anhydrous ethyl ether to remove excess chromophore. The deprotected substrate is purified by reversed phase HPLC on a C3 or C8 column with a 30% to 60% acetonitrile gradient (using six column volumes). The overall yield following HPLC purification can be approximately 20-30%. The molecular mass can be confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy. The substrates are stored in dry powder form under desiccation.

Spectra of Substrates and Products: Spectra of substrates and the corresponding chromophore products are obtained in the pH 6.5 assay buffer. Extinction coefficients are determined at the optimal off-peak wavelength in 1-cm cuvettes (340 nm for 3-Np and HMC, 370 nm for PAP and 400 nm for 4-Np) using multiple dilutions. The optimal off-peak wavelength is defined as that wavelength yielding the maximum fractional difference in absorbance between substrate and product (product OD—substrate OD)/substrate OD). Protease Assay: HCV protease assays are performed at 30° C. using a 200 μl reaction mix in a 96-well microtiter plate. Assay buffer conditions (25 mM MOPS pH 6.5, 300 mM NaCl, 10% glycerol, 0.05% lauryl maltoside, 5 μM EDTA and 5 μM DTT) are optimized for the NS3/NS4A heterodimer (D. L. Sali et al, ibid.)). Typically, 150 μl mixtures of buffer, substrate and inhibitor are placed in wells (final concentration of DMSO≦4% v/v) and allowed to preincubate at 30° C. for approximately 3 minutes. Fifty μls of prewarmed protease (12 nM, 30° C.) in assay buffer, is then used to initiate the reaction (final volume 200 μl). The plates are monitored over the length of the assay (60 minutes) for change in absorbance at the appropriate wavelength (340 nm for 3-Np and HMC, 370 nm for PAP, and 400 nm for 4-Np) using a Spectromax Plus microtiter plate reader equipped with a monochrometer (acceptable results can be obtained with plate readers that utilize cutoff filters). Proteolytic cleavage of the ester linkage between the Nva and the chromophore is monitored at the appropriate wavelength against a no enzyme blank as a control for non-enzymatic hydrolysis. The evaluation of substrate kinetic parameters is performed over a 30-fold substrate concentration range (˜6-200 μM). Initial velocities are determined using linear regression and kinetic constants are obtained by fitting the data to the Michaelis-Menten equation using non-linear regression analysis (Mac Curve Fit 1.1, K. Raner). Turnover numbers (k_(cat)) are calculated assuming the enzyme is fully active. Evaluation of Inhibitors and Inactivators: The inhibition constants (K_(i)) for the competitive inhibitors Ac-D-(D-Gla)-L-I-(Cha)-C-OH (27), Ac-DTEDVVA(Nva)-OH and Ac-DTEDVVP(Nva)-OH are determined experimentally at fixed concentrations of enzyme and substrate by plotting v_(o)/v_(i) vs. inhibitor concentration ([I]_(o)) according to the rearranged Michaelis-Menten equation for competitive inhibition kinetics: v_(o)/v_(i)=1+[I]_(o)/(K_(i)(1+[S]_(o)/K_(m))), where v_(o) is the uninhibited initial velocity, v_(i) is the initial velocity in the presence of inhibitor at any given inhibitor concentration ([I]_(o)) and [S]_(o) is the substrate concentration used. The resulting data are fitted using linear regression and the resulting slope, 1/(K_(i)(1+[S]_(o)/K_(m)), is used to calculate the K_(i) value. The Ki* values of some of the inventive compounds are shown in Table 8:

TABLE 8 Ki* structure (nM)

5

8

15

13

22

30

40

14

13

7

9

30

13

51

17

5

10

4.3

While the present invention has been described with in conjunction with the specific embodiments set forth above, many alternatives, modifications and other variations thereof will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. All such alternatives, modifications and variations are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

1. A compound, or enantiomer, stereoisomer, rotamer, tautomer, diastereomer and racemate of said compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester of said compound, said compound having the general structure shown in Formula I:

wherein: R¹ is H, OR⁸, NR⁹R¹⁰, or CHR⁹R¹⁰, wherein R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ can be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl-, alkenyl-, alkynyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl-, cycloalkyl-, heterocyclyl-, arylalkyl-, and heteroarylalkyl; or R¹⁰ is R¹⁴ wherein R¹⁴ is H, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-heteroaryl, aryl-alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or heteroaryl-alkyl; A and M can be the same or different, each being independently selected from R, OR, NHR, NRR′, SR, SO₂R, and halo; or A and M are connected to each other such that the moiety:

shown above in Formula I forms either a three, four, six, seven or eight-membered cycloalkyl, a four to eight-membered heterocyclyl, a six to ten-membered aryl, or a five to ten-membered heteroaryl; E is C(H) or C(R); L is C(H), or C(R); R, R′, R², and R³ can be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl-, alkenyl-, alkynyl-, cycloalkyl-, heterocyclyl-, aryl-, heteroaryl-, (cycloalkyl)alkyl-, (heterocyclyl)alkyl-, aryl-alkyl-, and heteroaryl-alkyl-; or alternately R and R′ in NRR′ are connected to each other such that NRR′ forms a four to eight-membered heterocyclyl; and Y is selected from the following moieties:

wherein G is NH; and R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ can be the same or different, each being independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl, or alternately, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are connected to each other to form a four to eight-membered cycloalkyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl structure, and likewise, independently R¹⁷ and R¹⁸ are connected to each other to form a three to eight-membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl; wherein each of said alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclyl can be unsubstituted or optionally independently substituted with one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of: hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, thio, alkylthio, arylthio, amino, amido, alkylamino, arylamino, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, sulfonamido, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, alkylsulfonamido, arylsulfonamido, keto, carboxy, carbalkoxy, carboxamido, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonyloxy, alkylureido, arylureido, halo, cyano, and nitro.
 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is NR⁹R¹⁰, and R⁹ is H, R¹⁰ is H, or R¹⁴ wherein R¹⁴ is H, alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, alkyl-aryl, alkyl-heteroaryl, aryl-alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl or heteroaryl-alkyl.
 3. The compound of claim 2, wherein R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of:


4. The compound of claim 1, wherein R² is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:


5. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein R³¹ is OH or O-alkyl; and R³² is H, C(O)CH₃, C(O)OtBu or C(O)N(H)tBu.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:


7. The compound of claim 1, wherein the moiety:

is selected from the following structures:


8. The compound of claim 7, wherein the moiety:

is selected from the following structures:


9. The compound of claim 8, wherein the moiety:

is selected from the following structures:


10. The compound of claim 1, R¹ is NHR¹⁴, where R¹⁴ is selected from the group consisting of:

R² is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:

R³ is selected from the group consisting of the following moieties:

Y is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein Y³¹ is selected from the group consisting of:

Y³² is selected from the group consisting of:

and Y¹² is selected from the group consisting of H, CO₂H, CO₂Me, OMe, F, Cl, Br, NH₂, N(H)S(O₂)CH₃, N(H)C(O)CH₃, NO₂, NMe₂, S(O₂)NH₂, CF₃, Me, OH, OCF₃, and C(O)NH₂ and Y³³ is selected from the group consisting of:

and the moiety:


11. A pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient at least one compound of claim
 1. 12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 11 for use in treating an infection of HCV.
 13. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 12 additionally comprising at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 13, additionally containing at least one antiviral agent.
 15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 14, additionally containing at least one interferon.
 16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15, wherein said at least one antiviral agent is ribavirin and said at least one interferon is α-interferon or pegylated interferon.
 17. A compound exhibiting HCV protease inhibitory activity, or enantiomer, stereoisomer, rotamer, tautomer, diastereomer and racemate of said compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or ester of said compound, said compound being selected from the compounds of structures listed below:


18. A pharmaceutical composition for treating an infection of HCV, said composition comprising therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds in claim 17 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 18, additionally containing at least one antiviral agent.
 20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 19, additionally containing at least one interferon or PEG-interferon alpha conjugate.
 21. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 20, wherein said at least one antiviral agent is ribavirin and said at least one interferon is α-interferon or pegylated interferon.
 22. A compound of claim 1 in purified form. 